Pentecost

Apparently, they didn't have anything better to do. They were all just sitting around waiting. Waiting for what? Were they waiting for something to happen? Were they waiting for Him to reappear? Were they waiting for the end of the world?

I don't know.

They were supposed to be celebrating
Shavout. They were supposed to be remembering the Torah and how God loved Israel enough to reveal his will to them, exclusively. They were supposed to be contemplating the joy of Sinai and comparing that joy to the misery of Egypt.

Instead, they were gathered in a room, waiting.

Then, it happened. There was suddenly a tornado in the room, and a fire infected each of them. They ran out of the room preaching to people in languages they had never spoken before. The people on the street were dumbfounded.

"we hear them declaring the mighty works of God in our own languages!"

Then, they turned skeptical. Maybe these Jesus-followers had hit the cheap wine and got a bit sauced. Peter corrected them and he preached to them about Jesus. Three thousand people became followers that day. They were baptized. Hearts and minds were changed and they joined a new and incredible society. Then, the miracle really took hold:

The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers.  A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles.  All the believers were united and shared everything. They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them.  Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity. They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved.

The heat of Sinai, the wind of the desert focused on a room full of people that were waiting. They were unsure what to do. They were unsure where to go. They only had eachother and a fervent belief.