Scripture

When the day of Pentecost had come, [the disciples] were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. (Acts 2.1-21 †)

Jerusalem was teeming with Jews from far and wide, come to celebrate the great feast of Pentecost (Shavuot). There would be speakers of Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic in the crowd, but also Arabic, Egyptian and various local dialects, yet all of them heard and understood the disciples’ joyful outburst in their own language.

How could that possibly be true?

The disciples were not learned men, fluent in all these languages. The message was not in the words spoken, but in what the crowds heard, translated for each individual by the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

We are all different, but God communicates with each of us in ways that we can understand, whether in words, pictures, events or experiences, directly or through other people. Are we listening?

Lord, open our ears to your words and our hearts to your love.

Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen