It was a cosmopolitan crowd of people from many different nations and languages. On this day of the Jewish Pentecost (the 50th day after the Jewish Sabbath of the Passover week), the disciples of Jesus, who met together, "were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak foreign languages" (v 4). The crowd was "bewildered… amazed … astonished" (vv 6-7). They said, "How does it happen that each of us hears them in his own native language? … we hear them preaching in our own language about the marvels of God" (vv 8, 11).

Have you ever noticed in your travels how when you could speak a word or two in another person's native language, the person just lights up? Missionaries worldwide have effectively conveyed the Good News because they took the time and effort to learn the languages of those they were witnessing to.

It is true during the first Christian Pentecost (50 days after Jesus had resurrected), the disciples were given "the gift of speech" (v 4). We can ask for that from God. And we can also make a diligent effort to learn the languages of those living amongst us in our multi-lingual society so that they too can hear the Good News in their language. In our evangelisation, we must work hard, even as we ask God for the power to learn these languages, so that nothing will keep us from sharing the love of God in Jesus Christ.