Acts 2:1-8, 11b - 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. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 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? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? ... We hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God."
It must have been crowded where the disciples were staying, while they waited for Jesus to send the Holy Spirit from heaven. Acts 1:15 says there were about 120 people in all. And I bet it felt a lot more crowded once the Holy Spirit came and they all began speaking in other languages!
It must have sounded like Babel in there—and completely unnecessary, too, since everyone in that room would have spoken the same language already. What use was the Spirit's gift in a locked room? So some sensible person got up and opened the door, and the disciples spilled out of the room, onto the stairs, and down into the street—where they quickly found an audience of people from all over the known world. Those were the people the languages were meant for!
Those were the people who needed to hear the Gospel. They needed to hear that God's own Son had come into the world as a Man, had lived, suffered, died, and risen again—all to rescue them from the power of death and darkness. They needed to know that God was offering forgiveness and everlasting life to anyone who would take it, just by trusting in Jesus. They needed to know that God had flung the gates of heaven wide open, and anyone who was willing could go in.
But they never would have known it if the disciples had stayed cooped up in that room, would they?
You, too, have a Spirit-given language of some sort—a way to reach out to the people around you who do not yet know Jesus or believe in Him. It may not be a literal language, like Spanish or Vietnamese. It may be a skill that you have that brings you into contact with people who need help—a gift like nursing, accounting, or building. It may be a gift of caring or hospitality—something that helps you build relationships with your neighbors, and ultimately allows you to share your faith with them. Whatever your language is, it's one you can speak "in the street." It's one that, if you are willing, God can use to bring His love and mercy to other people. You don't have to be experienced or wise. You just have to be willing.
THE PRAYER: Lord, even when I am afraid or nervous, bring me out of my safe room and into the street, into the world of people You want to love through me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. When it comes to work and recreation, would you call yourself more of an inside or outside person?
2. Do you have non-Christian friends? If not, how could you make some?
3. Tell about a time when God used you to care for someone else.
Today's Bible Readings: 2 Samuel 21-22 Psalms 18 John 6:22-40
To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select "Save Link As" or "Save Target As" or "Download Linked File As"