“For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus in order that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost (Feast of Shavuot).” (Acts 20:16)

Why was Paul in such a rush to be in Jerusalem at Shavuot? One reason is that Jews were commanded to celebrate this feast each year in Jerusalem. But I believe Paul also hurried back to Jerusalem, because Pentecost marked the day when the Holy Spirit was poured out in power upon those first disciples.

The Day of Pentecost marked the debut of the end-time revival prophesied by Joel, when God “will pour out [His] Spirit on all people” and “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Joel 2:28, 32; Acts 2:17, 21)

It’s important to remember that Pentecost is also the “Feast of Harvest” (Exodus 23:16) This holiday marked the end of the barley and beginning of the wheat harvest in Eretz Israel. In Temple times, two loaves made from the finest wheat produced that season were “waved before the Lord.” (Leviticus 23:17-20) But for Messianic believers like Paul, the “Feast of Harvest” had a deeper significance. Hosea had pictured the future redemption of God’s people as a great harvest (6:11). And Yeshua had a harvest of people in mind when he exhorted his first evangelists, “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest?’ Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest.” (John 4:35)

But, there would be no reaping of the harvest without power form on high. That’s way Yeshua commanded his followers to wait in Jerusalem. (Acts 1:4) “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) The apostle Paul and the first Messianic believers undoubtedly perceived the fundamental connection between the pouring out of God’s Spirit, and the end-time “harvest” of souls. So, no wonder Paul was determined to get back to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost. He must have been bursting at the seams to share his personal testimony in Jerusalem, how the power of Pentecost had enabled him to reap a harvest of souls – even in far-away fields!

So, as we celebrate Shavuot, let’s remember that the fields are indeed white and ready for harvest. And let’s pray for another mighty move of the Holy Spirit to give us the power and ability to bring in the sheaves.

Pastor Wayne Hilsden