The two scenes couldn’t have been more different. One involved in a huge crowd, the other just a few people . . . one involved a cacophony of sound, the other, I imagine, hushed whispers . . . one centered primarily around 12 men who had been hanging out in Jerusalem, the other focused on a small child, overshadowed by His mother, in a small, non-descript home in Bethlehem . . . one involved proclamation, the other worship . . . both however, were sourced in the same subject matter . . . the mighty works of God.

My reading plan has me in Matthew 2:1-12 and Acts 2:1-21 (even that looks pretty similar). Matthew’s account is that of the magi’s visit to Bethlehem in search of a king . . . Luke’s account, in Acts, is the visitation of the Spirit of God upon a band of apostles waiting for a promise.

In Matthew’s account three men (I know, I know . . . nowhere does it say three . . . but, there were three gifts given . . . and it was a small house . . . so, I’ll go with three) are welcomed into the house and then, are ushered into the kingdom of heaven. Their journey of faith culminates with them face to face with the one spoken of by Micah, the prophet. And I can imagine these men of wealth, and power, and influence . . . these who were more accustomed to having people bow down to them . . . I can see them humbling themselves . . . falling at least to their knees, and perhaps even facedown . . . and worshiping the One who, though appearing as a baby, they believed to be a King. And, as they worship, they open their treasures and offer him gifts. Pretty subdued . . . just a small group . . . not a lot of talking . . . just the Spirit’s whisper to searching hearts . . . and a whole lot of worshiping . . .

Flash forward some 33 years . . . to a day of Pentecost . . . and, before the day is done, three thousand souls will be added to the legions of the redeemed (Acts 2:41). Hear the noise! Far from the Spirit’s whisper, this scene entails the Spirit’s shout! A sound like a mighty rushing wind descends . . . tongues of fire resting on the twelve . . . each of them speaking in other languages as the Spirit gives them utterance. And it draws a crowd . . . . a bewildered multitude . . . as each of them hears the message in their own language . . . an amazed and astonished flash mob as they hear, in their own tongue, “the mighty works of God”. Talk about your revival!

I’ll be honest . . . I’d love to be part of a Spirit descending, wind blowing, tongues of fire resting, revival . . . but it seems to me that most often it is the quiet working of the Spirit within searching hearts that most of us are called to be part of. And, as I noodle on these two very different visitations of the Spirit, I am drawn to the common element in both stories . . . the mighty works of God .

Behold the mighty works of God . . . Immanuel . . . God in flesh . . . God with us. Come to Him . . . Jesus . . . Jehovah saves . . . “for He will save His people from their sins.” Bow before Him . . . the King . . . “a Ruler who will shepherd My people”.

Sense the Spirit’s moving . . . sometimes in big and loud ways . . . but most often, just like it is now, in the quietness of a small room . . . before a desk with an open Bible . . . stirring the heart . . . lifting the soul . . . forming offerings of worship ready to be given as gifts of adoration.

Two very different stories . . . two very different outpourings of the Spirit . . .

One common focus . . . Jesus. One common response . . . awe . . . wonder . . . and worship. One common desire . . . to Him be all glory. Amen!