This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, commemorating the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Long before Christ, the celebration of Pentecost was a joyous occasion. It marked the wheat harvest, which occurred 50 days after the celebration of the barley harvest—the first fruits. The word “Pentecost” is Greek for “fifty,” which refers to the fifty days between the two festivals.

But, when Christ died, this celebration took a dramatic turn—for the disciples who had gathered for the wheat harvest festival—and for the others who were there with them:

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly, there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9

Acts 2: 1-9 ESV

Pentecost changed for the new Christians from a holiday that celebrated the wheat harvest to a day that marked when the Holy Spirit came down from heaven and empowered the disciples of Christ to “harvest” people for the Kingdom of God. According to Scripture, 3,000 new Christians came to the faith that day. The disciples used that power to advance and spread the Good News of Jesus’ coming.

That same Spirit resides in each of us today.

We may not feel the wind.

We may not see the flame of fire.

But we are vessels for that same spirit.

He lives in us.

He empowers us to continue the harvest.

Pray for the power to inspire others to know Christ.

Holy Spirit—fill us today!