“From the day after the Sabbath… Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord.” Leviticus 23:15-16.
The Feast of Weeks, Shavuot in Hebrew, and later known as Pentecost in the Greek language, is 50 days after the Passover. This Feast is to celebrate the bounty of the harvest. It was a time to gather the first grain offering of your field and present it to the Lord. This act of a grain offering was to give God praise and thank Him for His constant provision in their lives. God continued to show His people that He was Lord of the harvest.
Like always, God has more in mind.
Today, There’s A New Kind Of Harvest
In the New Testament, Jesus says in John 4:35, “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!”
Jesus is telling His disciples that there was a new kind of harvest to gather, men and women of all ages, nations, and tongues. Jesus is preparing His followers for a new kind of harvest.
It is during the Feast of Pentecost, in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit descended upon 120 people in the upper room, including Jesus’ disciples and His mother. This experience marks the birth of the Church.
The same day Israel celebrated the first harvest, God began a new kind of harvest. He gathered souls from every nation, tribe, and tongue.
The Feast of Pentecost reminds us that salvation isn’t just about being delivered (Passover) or purified (Unleavened Bread); it’s about being empowered to serve.
Acts 1:8 states, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
After you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, the Bible says that you will have power. You will have more power to resist temptation, step out in boldness, and do things you may have been fearful to do in the past. Acts 1:8 states, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Why does God desire to give us His power?
The reason why God gives ‘power’ in Acts 1:8 is so we can be a witness.
God commissions us to be a witness to the uttermost parts of the earth. It is a command to go into the world and bring in a harvest of souls!
We need to go to the uttermost parts of the earth to bring in a harvest. Perhaps, the uttermost part of the earth is across the street from your neighbor, or maybe it’s someone you meet at a store, or it could also be someone you meet on vacation. There are people everywhere who need Jesus.
Pentecost is not only one day out of the year, but now we can experience this amazing experience every day. Jesus said, The fields are white and ready for harvest. Your friends, co-workers, loved ones, and even the people that you casually pass every day are part of the harvest. Today is the day of salvation, let us bring in the sheaves.
Pentecost is a feast that calls us to gratitude and calls us to a mission. God fills us with the power of His Spirit so we can pour out and be a witness to others.
Journal Prompt:
Where do you see God inviting you to be part of His harvest? Is it in your workplace, community, church, or family? What fears or limitations might be holding you back? Ask God to empower you to be a witness. Write in your journal any people He lays on your heart today. Also, write down what it means to be a true disciple of God according to scripture.
Prayer:
Lord, I am so thankful that you are Lord of the harvest. You have given me your Spirit to empower me to be a witness and to be moved to action. I give you my life, my talents, and my voice to bring in a harvest for Your Kingdom. I want to be a part of the end-time revival and I want to be a witness. Lead me, Lord, and I will follow. In Jesus name, amen.
This devotion was written by Angela Overton.
