READ: Acts 2.5-7 NLT




At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed.
The arrival of the Holy Spirit caused a stir in Jerusalem. The city was packed with Jewish pilgrims from a huge area and they were eager to find out what was going on. What amazed them was that they were hearing God’s name being praised in their own languages. Dr Luke provides us with a fascinating list of where the pilgrims had come from. To use their modern names they had come from, amongst other places, Rome, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt and other parts of North Africa. What a perfect moment for the Holy Spirit to be given. By the end of the day thousands of people would have heard the good news of Jesus for the first time. They were able to take the message back home and start drawing together Christian communities.
This was truly a ‘kairos’ moment. The word ‘kairos’ is a very special one in Greek. It is one of two words which translates the English word time. The other Greek word is ‘chronos’ which is a word that we know well from words like chronology. ‘Chronos’ is what I would call tick tock time! It’s the time that we measure with our clocks and calendars. ‘Kairos’ is better translated by the word opportunity. The day of Pentecost was an amazing moment of supernatural opportunity. It was just one more day in the calendar viewed in one way but, from God’s point of view, it was a turning point. Nothing would be the same after that day.
Writing to the Ephesians the apostle Paul comments, “Be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” (Ephesians 5.15-16) As we thank God for the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, God calls us to grasp hold of today and to use every opportunity for serving him.



QUESTIONS: What are the special opportunities that God is giving to you at the moment?
PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to grasp every opportunity you give me for serving you. Amen

Released on 24 May 2021