Act 2:1-13
2 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Meditation
I sometimes tell folks who look young for their age, “I want what you’re drinking.” Because I want to stay looking young like them. Sometimes they will share what they are drinking that keeps them looking young. I’ve heard age-defying remedies like drinking pickle juice, apple cider vinegar, and lots of water (all of which offer health benefits). I’ve heard some say a glass of wine or a shot of whiskey every day. Even Paul tells Timothy to drink “a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments” (1 Timothy 5:23).
The arrival of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost is a familiar story that hints at something the disciples are “drinking” that offers amazing results. Most of the time, when we read this story, we focus on the tongues like fire, speaking in foreign languages, and the whirlwind of the Holy Spirit’s arrival—always celebrating God’s power. It is the response of the crowd at the end of the passage that intrigues me, though. “All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”” (vss. 12-13).
Amazed, because the crowd is overhearing “God’s deeds of power” (vs.11), each in their own language, from a group of backwoods Galilean guys. Perplexed, because they are hearing clearly “God’s deeds of power” (vs. 11) coming from these backwoods Galilean guys. The ones who are amazed were baptized (see Acts 2:41) but the ones who are perplexed sneered and accused the disciples of being drunk. Acting out of their discomfort, whether motivated by amazement or perplexity, each one responded in a way that either explained away or accepted the situation. The perplexed by discrediting the disciples for having a hangover—an accusation which releases them from responsibility to act on the message. And, the amazed by saying, “I want what they’re drinking.” So, everybody who hears “about God’s amazing deeds” in Jesus Christ will respond one way or another.
How are we responding to God’s amazing gift of grace? Are we sneering at the impossible logic looking for ways to explain away the possibility of unconditional love or are we overcome with awe and reverence accepting the thirst-quenching grace of God? I want to drink in the Holy Spirit of amazement.