Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem during Passover, the memorial celebration of God’s redemption of the Hebrew slaves from bondage in Egypt. Fifty days after Passover was the Feast of Pentecost—the celebration of the grain harvest. At the time, Jerusalem was filled with Jews from the Mediterranean region who gathered for these two feasts.

Jewish tradition holds that Moses received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai fifty days after the original Passover. The signs and wonders that accompanied that event, and the sending of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem—wind and fire—would have drawn an immediate parallel in astute Jewish minds. But in contrast to the giving of the Law, the gift of Pentecost in Jerusalem was the Holy Spirit—the seal of God on all who believe (Ephesians 1:13-14) and the power of the indwelling Christ.

Thank God today that you have been sealed in Christ by the Holy Spirit—and that you have His power in you to overcome the world.

The Christian is called upon to live a supernatural life, and he has been given the power to live that life.

Donald Grey Barnhouse