Wild Party

The party was wild. A really, really, really very huge wild party. Horns blasting, people laughing, tons of dancing… then the crowd erupts in gasps and whispers and hushing sounds… someone just arrived. The horn guy is clueless and ends up being the only one still making noise until someone knocks it out of his hands, but his lips are still going so now it sounds like he’s blowing raspberries on someone’s belly! Okay so the horn-raspberry thing didn’t happen, but you get the point. Shortly after, 3,000 people died. So how did this friendly soirée get so out-of-control? I’m glad you asked… because it matters to us all right now.

It all starts over three millennia ago when God led His people out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and to a mountain in the middle of the desert. It took them 40 days to get there, and it wasn’t easy. Moses left them to go up the mountain to speak directly with God. And the people waited… Moses was gone for a total of 40 days… and the people got bored. So, they decided to do what they did before when they lived in Egypt, the land of their enslavement. They partied! They built a statue and danced, sang, drank, ate and partied like it was 1299 (B.C. that is). When Moses finally came down the mountain carrying stones on which God wrote His message to the people, Moses heard all the noise and thought they were under attack. Nope. It was a wild party… and the people knew they were in trouble. Then people are given a choice; continue to follow the gods that lead to slavery, or follow the one true God who leads to freedom. So the people made their choice. Most of the crowd chooses to follow the one true God. The others, about 3,000, decide to stand their ground… they choose to follow the gods they made: “…and that day about 3,000 of the people died.” – Exodus 32:28

The day Moses and the people arrived at the mountain is celebrated as the traditional Jewish festival called “Feast of Weeks” (because it took about 5 weeks to get to there). We know it as Pentecost. Jewish people still celebrate that day because it was at that mountain where God eventually presented His written word to His people. Albeit tainted with the death of 3,000.

In our Christian tradition, we celebrate this day as the time the Spirit of God was poured out on all people. Jesus was crucified on Passover, which is the celebration of freedom from slavery, He was raised from the dead, then He told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem. It is no coincidence that they were there in Jerusalem 40 days later at the feast of Pentecost, the celebration of God’s revelation to His people. On that day, Peter, who denied Jesus to his face in a crowd, is now facing a crowd as he was filled with the Spirit telling them about Jesus! Then something incredible happens! “Those who accepted [Peter’s] message were baptized, and about 3,000 were added to their number that day.” – Acts 2:41

So 3,000 died at the mountain of God because of disobedience, and now, 3,000 are saved because of obedience! Not. a. coincidence. Pentecost, once marked with the memory of 3,000 lives lost, is now turned around and represents 3,000 lives saved! Through Jesus the curse is reversed and death itself is turned around! Even though we were once slaves, and disobedient deserving a horrible fate, we are given life through Christ! This Saturday May 23^rd marks that occasion! So, may we be filled and empowered by the Spirit and party like its 33 (A.D. that is)!

-Pete