June 23: Why Pentecost, Part 1

“4These are the appointed feasts of the Lord, the holy convocations, which you shall proclaim at the time appointed for them. 5In the first month…is the Lord’s Passover.” –Leviticus 23.4-5
In the Old Testament, God commanded two feasts which He intimately tied together. The first was the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which began with the Passover celebration. In case you’re unaware, the Passover looked back to the day when the lambs were slain so that God would pass-over the people of Israel and not kill their firstborn in Egypt. Also in case you didn’t know, this points directly to Jesus, the Passover Lamb who was slain so that God would pass-over those who trust in Christ, not punishing them for their sins.
At the conclusion of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread was the waving of the bundle of wheat before God. Just as this firstfruit was presented to the Lord at the conclusion of Passover, so our savior presented Himself to God in a resurrected body at the conclusion of His suffering and death.
Then we come, fifty days and seven Sabbaths later, to the Feast of Weeks. This feast stood as the conclusion to the time begun with feast of Unleavened Bread. God chose for Christ to pour out His Spirit on this celebration day so that we would see the intimate connection between Christ’s sacrifice and our reception of His Spirit. Christ’s death and our life in the Spirit will forever be intimately connected.
1. Why is it important to always remember Christ’s death and resurrection when considering the gift of the Holy Spirit?
2. Take some time to dwell on what Christ’s death means for our life and faith. Then thank God for that sacrifice.