Whit Sunday 2021 23 May

Follows from: Shavuot 2021 / שָׁבוּעוֹת 5781

Today is Pentecost Sunday, meaning 50 days after the Resurrection, also called Whit Sunday for white Sunday. For Christians it is the day when the Paraclete, the Spirit of Peace descended upon Mary and the Apostles in the upper room in Jerusalem. The Jewish Faith celebrated Shavuot last weekend from Sunday, 16 May 2021 to Tuesday, 18 May 2021; though, as we have seen the two have little in common other than each being 50 days after the most significant Feast in each Faith.

Quake Reveals Day of Jesus’ Crucifixion

Jesus, as described in the New Testament, was most likely crucified on Friday April 3, 33 A.D.

The latest investigation, reported in the journal International Geology Review, focused on earthquake activity at the Dead Sea, located 13 miles from Jerusalem. The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 27, mentions that an earthquake coincided with the crucifixion:

“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open.”

To analyze earthquake activity in the region, geologist Jefferson Williams of Supersonic Geophysical and colleagues Markus Schwab and Achim Brauer of the German Research Center for Geosciences studied three cores from the beach of the Ein Gedi Spa adjacent to the Dead Sea.

“When data about the Jewish calendar and astronomical calculations are factored in, a handful of possible dates result, with Friday April 3, 33 A.D. being the best match, according to the researchers.”

Quake Reveals Day of Jesus’ Crucifixion

What they do have in common is the number of people attending Shavuot approximately April 5th 33 AD +50 days – which just happens to be 22-23 May, if you want to trust the information above.

Always wanting to know. aren’t we? Well, after all I did look. whenever the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ occurred it was at the end of the Feast of Weeks 50 days after Passover. Home grown Jews and those of the Diaspora had arrived in Jerusalem for Passover, as they were meant to attempt to do at least once in a lifetime – the Jews of the Diaspora are inferred by this statement – ” Next Year Jerusalem”

You may like a little irreverent light relief so have a read over here – Shavuot | Just me being curious go down and read from below “The Paraclete has arrived, filling the Apostles with the ability to speak many languages – Babel reversed – or rather that those with ears to hear all heard Peter’s message in their native tongue.”

Anyway, being serious again: In the previous article – Shavuot 2021 / שָׁבוּעוֹת 5781 – we noted the readings given for the 2 days for those Jews of the Diaspora or as they are now known – Ashkenazi Jews.

Liturgical Requirements at that time must have been observed by the Apostles since though they were now Followers of the Way they had yet to develop a method of marching through their year of faith. Today we use the Revised Common Lectionary in most Denominations which takes us through the Bible in about 3 years and the Gospels of years A, B, and C lead us in the footsteps of our Saviour. Whatever the formalities things were about to get rather shaky.

Readings for Pentecost must include the description in Acts which tells of tongues of fire descending upon the heads of the 12 and Mary, of the great wind howling and the earthquake. Jesus had spoken of the power from on high which would come upon them and O boy was it! Powerful.

Acts 2: 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202&version=NIV

Some thought they were drunk when they listened to the Babble of the Apostles, others listening more carefully heard the message of Jesus each one in their own tongue.

The Holy Spirit had come to the Apostles, who were neither Prophets, Priests or Kings, for until now the Breath of God – the Ruach Elohim had been reserved for the anointing of Prophets, Priests and Kings. Remember when Samuel came to Jesse and anointed David as the future king – chosen by God? 1 Samuel 16:13 .

Fulfilling the Prophecy of Joel , https://biblehub.com/niv/acts/2.htm the Ruach HaKodesh: The Holy Spirit had come upon the Apostles.

3000 people were saved that day, strangely enough the same number of people who had died at that first Pentecost. This was the birthday of the Church.

Happy Birthday everyone.