“‘From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. 16 Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord. 17 From wherever you live, bring two loaves made of two-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour, baked with yeast, as a wave offering of firstfruits to the Lord.‘” Leviticus 23:15-17 NIV
Lord God Almighty,
Leviticus is proving meaty Lord. You give this festival 50 days to come to fruition! The longest wait and counting for any festival on the Jewish calendar. It speaks of the first fruits giving and then waiting and presenting loaves from the harvest. Patience.
I had never really noted that Acts 1:1-3 tells us that Jesus spent 40 days following His resurrection travelling with the disciples and ministering. He told them to tarry in Jerusalem and wait for the gift of the Father, the Spirit to come (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4). I had not noticed that it says the Holy Spirit came on the 50th day to fulfill the promise and a great harvest followed. 3,000 added to the number of believers (Acts 2:41). 50 days and a harvest!
For some reason Pentecost does not appear to be celebrated as it was. With some is almost unnoticed. But the ministry of Your Holy Spirit is what gave the church Your life. He brings all the gifts and fruits that You, God wish to bestow on us and in us. He is You with us, God. And Jesus said He would come to us (John 16:13).
And in the promised land, the loaves have leaven! Jesus likened the Kingdom of heaven to yeast that a woman took and mixed into flour until it worked all through the dough (Matthew 13:33). A symbol of the kingdom of heaven, starting with small beginnings till it works its way through the whole batch, having a profound impact on all sectors of society. May we and our church be part of that.
In Jesus name we ray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 27th February 2025
It just seems right to have this again.
Holy Spirit, guide my vision
Help me see the way You see
Always Jesus, ever Jesus
Christ in all is Christ in me
Holy Spirit, guide my speaking
Words of grace in truth abound
Let my lips be filled with stories
Of the mercy that I’ve found
You’re the light, You’re my path
You’re the shepherd of my soul
All I am, All I have, Holy Spirit, lead me on
Holy Spirit, guide my hearing
Wake my ears to words You speak
In the thunder and the stillness
Let Your voice be clear in me
Let Your voice be clear in me
You’re the light, You’re my path
You’re the shepherd of my soul
All I am, All I have, Holy Spirit, lead me on
Oh, You’re the light, You’re my path
You’re the shepherd of my soul
All I am, All I have, Holy Spirit, lead me on
Holy Spirit, lead me onward
Walking through the great unknown
Trusting, leaning, holding, clinging
Till the day You lead me home
Oh, guide my feet, Oh, guide my feet
Lead me on, Lead me on, Lord
Holy Spirit, open up my eyes
Holy Spirit, open up my heart
Open up my ears
O would You show me where You lead me
I will follow
You’re the light, You’re my path
You’re the shepherd of my soul
All I am, All I have, Holy Spirit, lead me on
Lyrics: Brenton Brown / Chris Tomlin / Jason Ingram / Pat Barrett