Pentecost: The Promise, The Power, and The Harvest

Michelle Rackley

Over the past few weeks, many believers around the world have celebrated Pentecost. Some celebrate it according to the biblical counting from Passover, while others celebrate it fifty days after Easter—the day we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. No matter when you celebrate it, Pentecost is one of the most important events in the history of the Church and one that should never be forgotten.

But what is Pentecost?

Pentecost, known in the Old Testament as the Feast of Weeks, was one of the feasts God commanded Israel to observe. It took place fifty days after Passover and was a celebration of the harvest. God's people would gather together to thank Him for His provision, His goodness, and His faithfulness. What started as a celebration of a natural harvest became the day God launched the greatest harvest the world has ever known—a harvest of souls.

When we think of Pentecost, we usually think of the rushing mighty wind, cloven tongues like fire, people speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance, and the birth of the New Testament Church. We think about power. We think about revival. We think about three thousand souls being saved in a single day. But before there was an outpouring, there was a waiting.

Can you imagine what that first Pentecost must have felt like for the disciples?

For generations people had gathered to celebrate the harvest. Yet this year was different. Jesus had told them to go to Jerusalem and wait for the Promise of the Father.

"But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:49 KJV)

So many people act as if this was automatically a celebration for the disciples. Maybe there was some excitement. Maybe there was anticipation. But honestly, I'm not so sure that was all they felt.

I can imagine they were scared. I can imagine they were sad. I can imagine they were confused.

Think about everything they had been through in just the last few months. Judas betrayed Jesus. They watched Him get arrested. They watched the mock trials. Peter denied Him. They saw the whipping post. They watched Him carry the cross. They watched Him die.

Then came the resurrection.

Suddenly hope was alive again.

Jesus appeared to them. He walked through walls. He ate with them. He taught them. He spent forty days pouring truth into them and preparing them for what was ahead. He gave them what we now call the Great Commission.

Then suddenly He was leaving.

Their Friend.

Their Savior.

Their Rabbi.

The One they had left everything to follow.

The One they had wrapped their entire lives around for the last several years.

Gone from their sight.

Sure, He told them He had to go so the Comforter could come.

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you..." (John 16:7 KJV)

But they had never experienced anything like this before.

I can imagine the questions.

"You want us to go into all the world?"

"You want us to heal the sick?"

"Raise the dead?"

"Cast out devils?"

"Preach the Gospel?"

"How are we supposed to do that without You?"

Would they be arrested too? Would they be crucified too? Were they really cut out for this?

After all, these weren't famous people. They were fishermen. Tax collectors. Ordinary folks. People much like you and me.

How were they supposed to do what Jesus was asking them to do?

So they waited.

Ten days.

Ten days of praying.

Ten days of worshiping.

Ten days of asking questions.

Ten days of remembering what Jesus had said.

Ten days of seeking God.

And somewhere during those ten days, the Presence of God and their experiences with the risen Savior began drawing them together. The questions became faith. The fear became expectation. The uncertainty became surrender. And they found themselves in one mind and one accord.

Then—and only then—came the suddenly.

"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind..." (Acts 2:2 KJV)

A wind blew through that house. Fire fell. Cloven tongues like fire sat upon each of them. Not just Peter. Not just John. Not just the leaders.

All 120.

Some of their names we know. Most of them we don't. Yet because they obeyed Jesus and showed up where He told them to be, they were there when the Holy Ghost was poured out.

Friend, that's still how it works today.

Maybe nobody knows your name. Maybe you don't feel like Peter. Maybe you don't feel like James or John. Maybe you don't feel qualified.

Maybe you've asked, "Who, me?"

"God, how could You use somebody like me?"

"I don't know enough."

"I don't have the gifts."

"I can't do this."

Exactly.

That's why He sent the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Spirit was never meant to make us comfortable. He was sent to empower us.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you..." (Acts 1:8 KJV)

Power to be witnesses. Power to testify of His saving grace. Power to share what He's done in your life. Power to pray for the sick. Power to stand against darkness. Power to do what you could never do on your own.

But the Holy Spirit wasn't just poured out to give us power to minister. He was poured out to do a work in us.

The Holy Spirit is the One who convicts us when we're wrong. The Holy Spirit is the One who keeps drawing us back when we drift. The Holy Spirit teaches us, comforts us, corrects us, leads us, strengthens us, and changes us.

I've heard so many people say, "I've tried to stay saved, but I keep falling."

Friend, the Holy Ghost is a Keeper.

You were never meant to do this on your own.

The Holy Spirit is the One who separates us from the world and consecrates us unto God. He does the work in us that we could never do ourselves. He molds us, shapes us, and prepares us to be vessels fit for the Master's use.

The same Spirit that empowers us to witness is the same Spirit that empowers us to live holy. The same Spirit that fills us is the same Spirit that keeps us. The same Spirit that gives gifts also produces fruit.

As we remember Pentecost, let's thank God for the harvest—not just a harvest of crops or material blessings—but a harvest of souls.

Let's press in again.

Let's seek Him again.

Let's quit worrying about our kingdoms and start focusing on His Kingdom.

If the Church today could get beyond all the little differences and distractions and simply get our eyes back on Jesus, His Word, and His Kingdom, I believe we'd see the Spirit of God move among us in ways we haven't seen in a long time.

God never designed us to compete with one another. He designed us to work together. Not in compromise. Not watering down the truth. But standing together on one foundation:

Jesus Christ is Lord, and His Word is Truth.

If we'd get back there, I believe we'd see what Peter saw that day. A converted fisherman standing under the power and unction of the Holy Ghost. Not preaching a message designed to make people comfortable. Not trying to avoid conviction. But boldly preaching the truth of the Gospel. Showing people the error of their ways while offering them the glorious hope found in Jesus Christ.

And three thousand souls were saved.

Friend, you may not feel called to preach. You may not feel called to teach. Neither did many of the people gathered in that Upper Room. They simply obeyed. They surrendered. They believed. And God filled them.

Then their suddenly happened.

And yours can too.

Right now.

Right where you are.

You don't have to tarry ten days waiting on the Holy Ghost to be poured out. The early Church did that for us. Pentecost has already happened. The Holy Ghost has already been poured out.

Now it's about surrender.

It's about obedience.

It's about yielding yourself completely to Him.

And when you do, He'll fill you. He'll empower you. He'll convict you. He'll cleanse you. He'll consecrate you. He'll set your heart on fire for the work He's called you to do.

Jesus said:

"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." (John 7:38 KJV)

Friend, we don't need another powerless church. We need a fresh infilling of the Holy Ghost. We need believers who are full of His presence. Full of His power. Full of His love. Full of His truth.

So today my prayer is simple:

Pour out Holy Spirit. Pour on me and pour through me. Convict me where I need conviction. Cleanse me where I need cleansing. Consecrate me for Your service. Empower me to be a witness. Let rivers of living water flow out of me everywhere I go.

If there was ever a generation that needed the power of God, it is this one. The Holy Ghost has already been poured out. Now it's our turn to surrender and believe. We carry the truth, but we also need the power to share it.

May God fill us afresh.

May He set us on fire again.

And may our "suddenly" become someone else's salvation, healing, deliverance, and restoration.

"Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." (Zechariah 4:6 KJV)