It was custom that all Jewish males travel to Jerusalem to observe the three main feasts: The Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths), the Passover, and Pentecost (Jesus died on Friday before sundown and rose Sunday morning (3 days). He appeared to the disciples and many others, and over a period of 40 days, spoke about the kingdom. (3 +40=43) One week later (+7), on day 50, the Holy Spirit was given. This was the Jewish festival called Pentecost. Pente means 5 in Greek.) Jews would come from all surrounding countries to gather together to observe and remember according to the Old Testament directives. “Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.” (Acts 2:5) Hence, when Jesus died at the Passover, resurrected and then appeared for 40 days, Jerusalem was more than filled with pilgrims who, both Jew and Gentile, were God-fearing men. Men traveled with their wives and families and expected to observe the Passover and head back home. But Jesus changed all that: “After his suffering, he [Jesus] showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of 40 days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’…Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city…When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the bowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 1:3-5; 1:12; 2:1-4)
Jerusalem was filled to overflowing with pilgrims who came for Passover, and now stayed as directed both to obey Christ but also to find out more about this amazing resurrection that had happened. As a result, people needed places to stay, food to eat, and basically were relying on the hospitality of others.
How did the early believers handle this? With kindness and generosity! We are told “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, [a Greek] whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.” Acts 4:32-37
They didn’t HAVE to do this. We learn from Ananias and Sapphira that their sin wasn’t that they held some money back but rather that they lied about it, making it appear that they had donated the whole purchase price of the land. (Acts 5:1-11)
What does all of this have to do with us?
There are many, many deeds that go on within Lakeshore that are really just kindness and generosity. You may not think that your simple action of buying someone a coffee, providing babysitting for a tired family, or taking someone to dinner after church is a life changing contribution. But do you know what? That is what the early church was made of; acts of kindness and generosity. None of it is overlooked by God.
ACTS. The actions of the Apostles. The actions of the Holy Spirit. And in a real way, actions of kindness and generosity.
“Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:37-40)