In Our Own Languages

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, … “How is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? … We hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” … So those who received [Peter’s] word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:1-7, 11, 41)

In Our Own Languages

God took care, that first Pentecost Day, to reach the many foreigners who were staying in Jerusalem for the holiday. He could have told the first Christians to speak to them in Greek, as that was a commonly-understood language, like English today; but he didn’t. Instead, he gave the first believers the ability to speak in the heart languages of all the people who heard them. They learned about Jesus in the same words their mothers and fathers spoke to them—the language of their hearts.

Today many newcomers to America face the problem of learning English—and it is good that they should learn, and that we should help them. But when it comes to learning about Jesus, or reading the Bible or praying, there’s nothing quite like the language you grew up speaking. That’s why we do our best to provide people with Bibles and resources in their own language, if possible; and encourage leaders from each community to share the Good News of Jesus with their own people. People learn about God who became one of us, to live and to suffer and to die and to rise again, all to rescue us and make us his own children—and they hear this message in their own heart languages. That makes it easier for their hearts to respond in faith and trust.

Dear Holy Spirit, provide more ways for the people here in St. Louis to hear about Jesus and trust in him using their own heart languages. Amen.

By Dr. Kari Vo