Neither strong wine nor drunkenness played a part in the events surrounding the day of Pentecost. There were many God-fearing Jews from every nation under Heaven staying in Jerusalem and they described the event in Acts 2:11 by saying, "We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" This possibly was the first time many of them had heard and understood the message of Christ. The goal of Bible translation is for everyone to come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior after having read the Word of God in their own native tongue.

I believe, God's purpose in the second chapter of Acts is for all to come to know Him through the Holy Spirit and by the redemptive work of His Son, Jesus Christ. We are called to do our part by accepting Christ's redemptive work on the cross. God sent His Son, Jesus, not as an exclusive Savior for a select few or an elect group, but as one who can appeal to the masses. We find in 1 Timothy 2:4 that God is one, "Who wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth." On the day of Pentecost the mighty wonders of God were declared in every known language and may we be reminded that all men and women are included in Christ's sacrificial death on the cross.

Traditionally, and all so often today, much of the attention is focused on the act and not on the spirit behind the act. The focus should be on God and all that He is about. Instead we focus on what might appear to some as drunkenness or intoxication. Peter interpreted and summarized the day's events by quoting the prophet Joel. In Acts 2:21 we read, "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (See also Joel 2:28-32.)

God has everything under control even when there seems to be a spirit of discord and life does not make sense. In Acts 2:23-24 we read, "This man [Jesus of Nazareth] was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. But God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him."

The Holy Spirit was sent to empower the disciples on the day of Pentecost so that they might reveal Christ and the mighty wonders of God unto the world. Only the things of Christ have eternal value and will last forever. Are we trying to accomplish things by our own strength and efforts? If so, may we ask God's forgiveness, acknowledge Jesus as Lord, and ask Him to empower us with the Holy Spirit to do His work. Amen.