At the time of writing, our Jewish friends are celebrating Shavuot (the Feast of Weeks). They celebrate the reception of God’s laws and the Ten Commandments. Guidelines that were given to give direction to our lives so that people can continue on His path and reach God’s destination.
In a few days, our Muslim friends will celebrate Eid al Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice). This is celebrated in memory of the trial of Abraham, who was willing to sacrifice his son at God’s command to show that he was faithful and loyal. When Abraham wanted to stab his son to death with a knife, God stopped him. We read in the Quran: “And We provided him with a great sacrifice instead.” (Sura 37:107).
This coming weekend Christians will celebrate Pentecost, in which we reflect on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus. The coming of the Holy Spirit was announced by Jesus as the Comforter who would come to live forever in the hearts of His followers.
I see a beautiful connection between these three feasts. God has given us His laws in accordance with His truth and His character. As believers, our intention should be to live in complete obedience to God for the rest of our lives. Unfortunately, we are not able to do this. We often fall hopelessly short. We have good intentions, but we fail. In the Bible we read: “I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” (Romans 7:18, 19).
Because obedience is not (sufficiently) possible, we bring sacrifices, like prayer, fasting, good deeds, alms, etc. Perhaps we are even prepared, as Abraham did, to make a very great sacrifice. Abraham and we may learn that God is merciful and gracious and He Himself provides a replacement. For Abraham that was a sheep, for many Christians this is Jesus. His suffering and death make reconciliation with God possible.
At Pentecost we commemorate that His Spirit is given to those who are reconciled to God. This Spirit writes God’s laws in our hearts and gives us the power not only to want what is good, but also to do it. Are sacrifices no longer necessary? No, not to please God, but as gratitude for His proven mercy. We read: “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is the true worship required of you.” (Romans 12:1)
At Pentecost we commemorate that the Spirit fulfills the law and enables us to offer our lives as a sacrifice to God. In this way, law, sacrifice and Spirit together form the true worship.
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