A Double PortionSample

A Violent Wind

Before Jesus left his disciples and went to heaven, He asked them to stay in Jerusalem until the Father sent the gift He promised. As Jesus Christ was leaving, His disciples saw Him leave, and they probably looked within and humbly asked themselves, “How are we ever going to continue with our Master’s ministry?!” Jesus had given them the answer already; they were not aware of what was happening, but Jesus knew. The Bible says that a couple of men in white robes appeared to remind them of what Jesus had told them. 

The disciples returned to Jerusalem, where they gathered with other believers. On the day of Pentecost, fifty days after Jesus was crucified, a violent wind came down from heaven and filled the house where the believers gathered, and something similar to a flame came to rest on each of them. Everyone who was present was filled with the promise from the Father—the Holy Spirit. He gave the believers the ability to speak in other languages. 

There were Jewish people from other nations visiting Jerusalem, and believers—now empowered by the Holy Spirit—were speaking to them in their native languages about the wonderful things God had done among them. They all had become missionaries to the nations without leaving Jerusalem yet! 

This is what Jesus had spoken about when the Holy Spirit came upon them: His disciples were going to receive power and become His witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” But they had to begin at home, in Jerusalem, where they were currently hiding out of fear.

Jesus’ witnesses were now brave to face any situation—no matter how critical it was. These disciples were beaten many times, and most of them lost their lives because of their testimony of Jesus, yet the Holy Spirit empowered them to preach the word of God with boldness—for the good of the Kingdom.

The Holy Spirit empowers us to believe God’s faithfulness. He shows us how God’s Word will come to pass and He gives us the faith to believe against all rulers and principalities of this world. We are not to hide or to be afraid, because we have inherited a Kingdom and a King who loves us and is wanting to rule with and among us.

Let’s be brave to run to Him in dire situations and like Peter pray, “O Lord… give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.”