The Feast Of Pentecost

The Feast of Pentecost

Pentecost as celebrated before the coming of the Holy Spirit

It was a one day festival celebrated between two great festivals – Pass Over & Feast of Tabernacle.

It was named Pentecost because it fell on the fiftieth day after the offering of the barley sheaf during the Passover celebration.

Other names given for the feast of Pentecost.:

This festival has been known by several names: “Feast of Ingathering” / “Feast of reaping or harvest,” / “Day of First Fruits”

It marked the beginning of the time or season in which the people were to bring voluntarily their offerings of first fruits

The connection between the Old Testament Pentecost & New Testament Pentecost

In the following verse found in the book of Acts show us that there was a great harvest reaped – the first fruit offered to God – with the coming of the Holy Spirit up on the disciples of the Lord.

“Ac 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”

The entire book of Acts testifies to the ingathering of a great harvest of souls after the comming of the Holy Spirit up on the early church

Feast of Tabernacles:

The season commenced with Pentecost of offering the first fruit concluded with the Feast of Tabernacles (Booths). This festival lasted for eight days

It was a joyful time of thanksgiving for the harvest they now enjoyed. “Jerusalem would be thronged with pilgrims celebrating harvest-home, and God’s historic care in the wilderness wandering; and many erected their own shelters near the Holy City for the occasion (cf. Lev. 23:42).” During the 40 year walk, from Egypt to Promise land, through the wilderness the people of God experienced God’s care. Though they had no fixed abode and put up in tents & booths God was their great provider of Food & water etc.

During this Feast of Tabernacles a daily procession was held by the priests of the temple, from the temple to the Pool of Siloam. The Priest drew water in golden jars from the pool of siloam to the temple. The same water was “poured out as a libation at the altar”. This ritual was accompanied by a recitation of Isaiah 12:3: "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation."

The pouring out of this water reminded God’s provision for the thirsty people in the wilderness. But there was a problem - the water that had been poured out has flown out and had left the people unsatisfied. At the end of this ritual the thirst of the soul was unquenched – it remained the same

Jesus attends the feast of Tabernacles with a promise to quench the thirst of people for ever

In John chapter 7 we meet Jesus mingling with the crowd of people who had gathered to celebrate the feast of Tabernacles. Suddenly he did a very strange act which turned the attention of the people, from the procession and pouring of water on the altar of the temple, to him self. This is recorded in the scriptures as follows :

“Jn 7:37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.

Jn 7:38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

Jn 7:39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”

“On the last and greatest day” - what is the significance of that day? The people had witnessed the ritual of pouring water on the altar for eight days but without any personal and permanent quenching of the thirst (especially in their souls).

Jesus offers continuously flowing springs and rivers of living water

Jn 7:37 …… “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.

Jn 7:38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

Jesus immediately draws the attention of people to their unsatisfied thirst by saying “If anyone is thirsty”.

Illustration

A small boy is sent to bed by his father. Five minutes later.... "Da-ad...." "What?" "I’m thirsty. Can you bring drink of water?" "No. You had your chance. Lights out." Five minutes later: "Da-aaaad....." "WHAT?" "I’m THIRSTY. Can I have a drink of water??" "I told you NO!" If you ask again, I’ll have to spank you!!" Five minutes later......"Daaaa-aaaad....." "WHAT!" "When you come in to spank me, can you bring a drink of water?"

For the unsatisfied thirst it’s only water that can help – until it is given the cry in the heart of the human being goes on!