The Jewish feast of Pentecost (Shavuot) is associated with a remembrance of the Law given by God through Moses at Mount Sinai. Through the giving of the Law, God entered into a covenant with Israel - if they obeyed God fully and kept His covenant, then out of all nations they would become his treasured possession; He would be their God and they would be His people (Exodus 6:7; 19:5). But even before Moses could descend from Mt Sinai with the 10 Commandments, the people rebelled against God and demanded that Aaron gave them gods who would lead them into the Promised Land. I am referring to the incident of the golden Calf (Exodus 33). Israel abandoned Yahweh even before the journey began. As a result, 3000 men were killed that day. Indeed, this rebellion would mark the covenant relationship between Israel and Yahweh.
God lamented of their waywardness but promised that one day He would make a new covenant with the Law written not on stones but in the peoples’ hearts and minds (Jeremiah 31:32-33). One day he would put His Spirit in them and move them to follow His decrees and be careful to keep His laws (Ezekiel 36: 27). This covenant was established years later in His Son Jesus Christ. Through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than by keeping the Law, shall one be saved.
This time at the Feast of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the people of God. Luke tells us that 3000 men were saved as they were baptised into the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38-41). So as we celebrate the Feast of the Pentecost this weekend, let us be reminded that we are called to be ministers of this new covenant in Jesus Christ —not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:6).
Rev. David Lee
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