Listen to today’s devo!

I will pour out my Spirit on all people. (Acts 2:17)

Visiting Israel was an experience of a lifetime. Walking where Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee and visiting the Mount of Olives and other key places was spiritually enriching. Even riding on a bus into Jerusalem while “The Holy City” played in the background was exhilarating. Touring in the supposed “upper room,” a gentleman in the group signaled to speak. He began reciting a large portion of Peter’s sermon by memory.

What an unexpected and impacting experience that was as we imagined that long-ago morning in Jerusalem. To say the city was astir would be quite a mild description. People were everywhere, including Jesus’ disciples and others from Galilee. The town could not stop talking about the unusual flow of language on the day of Pentecost. Conversations about God and recent events involving Jesus were happening. Titles of Messiah, Lord, and Holy Spirit were hard to swallow by some, let alone grasp. Criticism in such a crowd was to be expected.

The disparaging remarks about being drunk may have been the last straw for Peter. Freshly filled with the Spirit, he was on his feet, quoting Old Testament prophecy. The day’s happenings began to prove the strong words of the prophet Joel about an awakening that was to take place. “All people,” God had promised, would receive an outpouring of his Spirit.

And that day in Jerusalem was the day!

With Christ in you, live under the Spirit’s control.

Jeanette Vermilya is ministry director at Shunem House. She has served with her husband, Jim, in overseas and pastoral ministry in The Wesleyan Church for over fifty-five years.

 

© 2022 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.