The following is chapter 23 in the children’s series, If They Could Talk, the story of our redemption as it unfolds from Genesis to Revelation. This is the story of Pentecost in Acts 2.
My Friends,
His plan seemed so foolish; yet in the end, it was so wise. Who but the Creator God could have authored it? Who but the Creator God could have executed it? A rejected and crucified Messiah rises from the dead, ascends into heaven, and saves the world! Just writing those words sends tingles up my wings. But how would the nations hear this Good News? That’s what I get to tell you.
Jerusalem was filling with people again. Pilgrims came from near and far fifty days after Jesus’ death to celebrate Pentecost; a feast of thanksgiving to God for the harvest. But no one thought it was they who were to be harvested!
Few knew the home where the disciples met. I did. My tree was next to their gathering place. The morning was calm, and the air was quiet. Out of the still came a mighty rushing wind. My tree buckled for a moment as the wind moved upon the home. I know it strange, but through the window I saw tongues like fire settle on the Twelve. They began speaking languages of the nations. The bustle of the street stopped as Jerusalem’s visitors, amazed and astonished, heard in their native tongue the mighty works of God.
Word traveled fast as hundreds assembled in the courtyard below. Disciple Peter stepped forward and all went quiet. He did not speak long. He didn’t have to for each word he spoke was one of power. He explained what they were seeing. “This is what was uttered through the prophet Joel,” he told them. Then quoting from the prophet’s second chapter, that “In the last days…I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh…” Quoting further, “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
His powerful sermon continued, the crowd mesmerized by the authority of a simple fisherman from Galilee. Telling the crowd that it was God, Who according to His sovereign plan ordained the cross, yet it was they who crucified and killed the Son of God. Conviction clenched them like a hangman’s noose.
Peter was not done. He quoted prophecy regarding Jesus resurrection; that death could not hold Him. He proclaimed that Jesus ascended and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, quoting from another prophecy, He would remain until God makes all of Jesus’ enemies a footstool to rest His feet!
Cut to the heart, the people cried out, “What shall we do?” Peter’s response simple and straightforward, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
The promise of salvation wasn’t just for the crowd that day nor was it only for the people of Israel. “For the promise is for you,” Peter, full of the Holy Spirit proclaimed, “and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself.”
You see, my friend, the Good News of Jesus is for the nations and it is for you. But you must call upon Jesus to be saved; you must repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.
Have you done so? Has God called you to Himself? Is He calling you now?
Believe and be saved,
The Owl