Today is Pentecost, the day of the Sacred Fire. It was less than two months since the crucifixion of our Lord. The apostles and other followers of Jesus still spent most of their time in a borrowed room in Jerusalem. They were still too frightened to tell their story to the world. They were waiting for something to happen. They believed somehow God would give them a message of what to do and then give them the strength to do it. They sincerely believed Jesus was to return and usher in the Kingdom of God.

It was the Jewish festival of Pentecost, so named because it fell 50 days after Passover. Jerusalem was crowded with tourists and religious pilgrims. With all the activity in the city, the followers of Jesus were probably even more frightened than usual. After all, if not openly persecute…