When the day of Pentecost came, different cultures spoke in varieties of languages. “And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.” The rushing, mighty wind swept in, testifying and confirming what Jesus had already told them to expect.
Wait for the Holy Spirit. Those present mocked what was going on , saying they were drunk. That belief was abandoned seeing it was early in the day and it did not hinder the Holy Spirit.
Peter preached a powerful convincing sermon to come to Christ. Those present began to speak in not only their own tongue, but in the tongues of others!
This is very interesting right here, because we see that Our Lord showed no prejudice, no partiality. Mary, the mother of Jesus was present also. Racism, hatred are man made as a result of mankind’s lustful greed, arrogance and more.
The Holy spirit was a witness testifying to Jesus’ prophecy of His coming and demonstrated the truth of Jesus’ words. All those present were astonished at this event. The Lord wanted them to become empowered to receive the Holy Ghost, be saved and carry forth the Gospel message to all cultures.
This was quite remarkable and surprising! Jesus had told them to wait until the coming Holy Ghost would make His debut. This spectacular presence and appearing was beyond what anyone had expected and most likely didn’t clearly understand or imagine what was coming and what was to happen not the meaning of what happened.
In the absence of the incarnate Jesus Christ no longer divinely, physically present, He had told them that the Holy Spirit, the comforter, the advocate would come. Read John 14, 15 and 16 – And the Holy Spirit would be a “Spiritual Encyclopedia of unlimited knowledge and recall,” so to speak that would bring things back to their remembrance, those things which had transpired while He was here on earth as He walked and talked with them before and after His resurrection.
Those who believed Peter’s message were baptized. So begins the gospel message for all over the world. Now, let’s get back to the verse which inspired this writing: Luke 19:10. Christ comes to Jericho and selects a special person to focus on, Zacchaeus.
Not all who were converted to Christ are mentioned in the Bible. Some who were accounted for had something in it extraordinary. Zaccheus is one.
Christ passed through Jericho as written in Luke 19:1; Luke 19:1. Jericho was built under a curse, yet Christ honored it with His presence, for the Gospel takes away the curse. The Gospel has purifying effect to wash and receiving it, become “new and regenerated.”
You would think it should never have been built, yet it was not therefore a sin to live in it when it was built. This speaks of the healing power of Christ and His divine presence. He was now going from the other side of Jordan to Bethany near Jerusalem to raise Lazarus to life; when he was going to do one good work he contrived to do many by the way.
He never wasted time or an opportunity to teach, preach and hill and restore. He did good both to the souls and to the bodies of people. We have here an instance of the former.
Notice this: Zaccheus’ name bespeaks him a Jew. “He was the chief among the publicans,” receiver-general; other publicans were officers under him. We often read of publicans coming to Christ; but here was one that was chief of the publicans, was in authority, that enquired after him.
God has His remnant among all sorts. Some we consider to be the worst are not beyond being saved if they seek after Christ, for Christ came to save even the chief of publicans. His circumstances in the world: He was rich.
The inferior publicans were commonly men of broken fortunes, and low in the world; but he that was chief of the publicans had raised a good estate. Christ had lately shown how hard it is for rich people to enter the kingdom of God, yet presently produces an instance on one rich man that had been lost, and was found, and that not as the prodigal by being reduced to want.
We find and see many who are lost, but can be found. Jesus Christ is “the seeker.” He is “the searcher” and He is the “gatherer.” He will bring all those He has called into His fold. And He won’t lose not a one.
Just as we learned when Jesus was present, the disciples gathered all the fishes into their fishing net. “For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save “that” which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) (to be continued)
Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker is founder-superintendent of Today’s Fresh Start Charter School, 4514 Crenshaw Boulevard, LA 90043 323-293-9826 www.todaysfreshstart.org (Ask Dr. Jeanette TM) Inquiring Minds Want to Know” All articles are copyright. All rights reserved © The Holy Bible New Testament, Errors? Let me know. Sundays for music & message: 11:30am {1-712-775-8971—code 266751} References: (The Holy Bible) References: Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible Commentaries: Matthew Henry (public domain). Pray; always. Don’t stop praying and hoping.