Pentecost or Shavout; The festival of Weeks or First Fruits

 

 

 

Shavuot: The Giving of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit)

 

This ancient Biblical festival is particularly relevant to New Covenant followers of Yeshua (Jesus).

 

On this very day, the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) came upon Yeshua's talmidim (disciples) who had been studying all night in the Upper Room.  They were waiting according to His final instructions.  That outpouring came around 9 a.m. during the morning sacrifices.

 

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit....  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  (Acts 1:4–8)

 

What an awesome event in Biblical history!

 

On Shavuot, the disciples of Yeshua received power from the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) to be His witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth!

 

“When the day of Shavuot came...  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”  (Acts 2:1, 2–4)

 

 

Pentecost, by Jean II Restout

 

Shavuot has significance for all followers of Yeshua, both native born and those “wild branches” grafted into the natural olive tree.

 

Today, therefore, Messianic Believers in Yeshua are gathering throughout Israel for outdoor picnics where they will worship the Lord and bring their first fruit gifts and offerings.

 

Without Shavuot, we would not have the power to witness for Yeshua about the Good News of salvation for all people. 

 

Witnessing to the lost about Yeshua does not come from our own might or power, but by the Ruach HaKodesh that came at Shavuot (Pentecost).

 

 

Children dance on Shavuot in Israel.

 

 

Shavuot:  Being Empowered to Live a Holy Life

 

Shavuot is about giving, because God is, by nature, a giver.

 

God gave two of His most priceless gifts on this day:  the Torah (His Word) and the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit).

 

This holiday emphasizes our need for both Truth and the Spirit of God who empowers us to live holy lives.

 

The Torah is the Word of Truth that reveals what a holy life looks like, but it is the Ruach that gives us the grace to live out that truth in our daily lives.

 

The Ruach would not have been poured out, however, if Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah) had not come.  He is the most precious gift that God gave—eternal salvation through Yeshua HaMashiach.

 

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  (John 3:16)