now there were dwelling in jerusalem jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. and at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. and they were amazed and astonished, saying, “are not all these who are speaking galileans?” — [acts 2:5-7]
can you imagine what would it be like to meet people from different parts of the world, all speaking different languages, and still understand each other perfectly?
that would be nothing short of a miracle! some might even call it astonishing and amazing!
when we see the promises of God fulfilled among us, words like ‘amazed’ and ‘astonished’ are appropriate for what he and only he can do.
as recorded in luke 24:49, Jesus had told his disciples to “stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” that city was jerusalem, and the power had now come upon them. God would choose to continue his work during the jewish feast days, this one being exactly 50 days after first fruits and the resurrection.
as he had recently done with the feasts of passover, unleavened bread and first fruits, God was now fulfilling the purpose of these feast days.
since these ‘feast fulfillments’ seem to be happening in order, a logical question for us is which one comes next? the jewish feast day after pentecost is the feast of trumpets. paul writes in I thessalonians 4:16, “for the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God…”
just like the disciples in Acts 2, we also are waiting for something to happen. yet we do so in the full power of the Holy Spirit, through whom God continues to do amazing and astonishing works.
~ jason soroski