Way back in Genesis eleven, at the tower of Babel, the people were united in mind and will to do evil, and God foiled them by dividing them. In Acts 2, God reverses this curse by sending out His word to chase down those various tongues and bring back to himself one people, united in Christ for righteousness. This meal, and the unity it represents, is part of that reversal.

Think about it for a moment, consider the marvelous works of God. You are all gathered here this morning to partake of a common loaf, to share in a common cup, because long ago God’s word went out to chase you. You ancestors ran from God—north, west, south, and east—but they could not outrun the word of God. Maybe you too ran from God, intent on independence from all rule and authority, wanting to be accountable to none, but the word of God is faster, and now you are at His table with a gloriously motley crew of saints, holy like you are, or rather, holy as Christ is.

Peter ends his sermon at Pentecost with the words, “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” You eat and drink the confirmation of that promise this morning, you and your children and all who once were far off but whom the Lord has called to Himself. Taste the promise of God, know that He is good, and rejoice in this colorful cast that He has put together to enact the divine drama.  

Pentecost reverses Babel. At Babel the people rebelliously clawed towards heaven, building their heathen tower, but at Pentecost the Spirit graciously descends in order to build by us the Kingdom of God which can never be shaken. It is a monumental task, but our God is with us and has provided us this meal to strengthen our hands and gladden our hearts.