THE MID-PENTECOSTTT

The Wednesday of mid-Pentecost on our journey after Pascha toward Pentecost is the Wednesday that follows the Sunday of the Paralytic.

Mid-Pentecost is the midpoint of the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, one of the three major Jewish Feasts: the Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.

The Prophecies of the Lord Jesus Christ were fulfilled because “He” is Jehovah the Savior, and thus Jewish feasts acquired their full meanings.

The Passover feast was dedicated to remember the crossing of the Red Sea, and the Feast of Pentecost is a remembrance of the ascent of Moses to Mount Sinai to receive the law of God.

The Feast of Tabernacles that follows the harvesting of fruits in the middle of the 7th month (7 months following the Jewish Passover) was designated for the Jews to remember God’s deliverance during their wandering in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt.

The Feast of Tabernacles is so-called because the Jews used to erect Booths in the squares, yards and on the roofs of their homes, living there during the seven-day feast period. In addition, they used to light lanterns in the evening to acknowledge God's protection and provision for them, which was manifested by the pillar of cloud during their journey in the desert.

During the first seven days of feast, the Jews would draw water from the pool of Siloam, in a golden vessel, and the High priest would pour the water in front of the people to announce that whoever is thirsty let him come and drink: a reference to the rock that Moses struck.

The rock was pouring water into the wilderness, and Paul the Apostle said that it was the Christ.

On the eighth day, the priest does not bring water from the pool, indicating that the people drink from Canaan springs water and not from the waters of the wilderness.

The eighth day in Christianity is the Kingdom Day that Christ has made.

In the Gospel passage that is read on this day (John 7: 14-30), the Jews marveled at the teaching of Jesus, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?” The people asked “O the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ?” The answer is yes, He is Christ the Savior.

On the last day, that great day of the Feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. (John 7: 37-38).

We celebrate mid-Pentecost saying Christ is Risen hoping that we will ascend with the Lord and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Glory to You O Lord, Glory to You.