‭Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

–Parallel verses:
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬-‭14‬
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

When the light shines in the darkness, those accustomed to the darkness are dazed and confused at the sight of it. I think the light of Christ, shining through the truth spoken miraculously in 15 different languages, shown brightly here. It both overwhelmed and bewildered this crowd. And they were amazed.

When Jesus came into the world, the gospel of John says of him: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬-‭5‬)

When sinners live in a sinful world governed by Satan, the Prince of Darkness and chief deceiver, the darkness (or sin) reigns, rules, and does battle with these sinners. I have experienced this in my life, when I let sin reign. So I think part of the surprise here is spiritual: They are shocked that something else has the power to dispel this dark cloud of evil in the world they lived in. That something else is the power of God’s Spirit in the hearts of his people!

This crowd probably never dreamed of having such an incredible experience with God’s Spirit as they were experiencing that day. Some were open to hear the truth and recognize the supernatural power of the living God. Others were closed off, excusing this incredible miracle as the result of these men being drunk.

It stands to this day that some are ready to see the light, and some shrink back and stay in the darkness. “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” (‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭19‬-‭21‬)

So I have a choice daily on how I mean to live. Will I live by the truth and follow Jesus, as his disciples did who were enabled to speak in foreign languages? Or will I hide my sin and shame and shy away from the light of Christ that at once reveals my sin and also makes a way for me to God?

Lord, you love me and sent your Son on a rescue mission to save me. You announced this good news at Pentecost and you continue to proclaim it now! Each day, give me the wisdom to seek you out wherever you may be found. And give me the obedience to pray, receive your good gifts, and share them with the world.