As Jesus began to perform miracles and minister to people, news of his fame quickly spread. Before long many people were following Jesus: some in need of healing, some in need of the miraculous, some because of His teaching, and even some who simply wanted to know what was going on. No matter their motives or needs, Jesus always had time to minister to people.

As the time of Jesus’ death drew near, He began to spend more time preparing the disciples for what would come. Yes, people worshipped and praised Jesus all over Israel, but His opposition was also plotting to kill Him. Jesus knew that the disciples still didn’t understand the full intent of His life, so He began to try to reveal to them His true purpose for coming to earth.

Both Jesus’ fame and stories grew stronger as he approached Jerusalem. So did His opposition. But as news of His miracles spread, as families reclaimed their outcast lepers now clean, as blind men went to work, and crippled children played in the streets, all of Jerusalem excitedly awaited His return! On this day it seemed as if the whole city loved Him! The streets were lined with men, women and children, --worshipping and praising-- proclaiming, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Frightened, all of the disciples fled as Jesus was led to the house of the Jewish High Priest to be falsely accused and condemned. Peter, however, distraught over what was happening to his beloved Saviour, covered His face and slipped into the courtyard of the House.

The Friday evening of Jesus’s death, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Joseph was a follower of Jesus and had a new tomb carved into a rocky hillside. It was there that they buried Jesus. As Joseph left, He placed a large Stone in the entrance so that nothing would happen to his Saviour’s body.

The Jewish leaders, fearful that His followers would steal Jesus’ body and claim that He had risen, posted guards to watch and protect the tomb. And so the tomb was: sealed, guarded, and finished.

Early that Sunday morning, however, something happened. An angel of the Lord appeared and rolled the stone away! The soldiers not believing what they were seeing, ran away and then fainted! It was then that Mary Magadalene and Peter decided to visit the tomb.

Jesus appeared three more times to His followers and did many great miracles to build up their faith. Then, once He had admonished the disciples to preach and teach all that He had commanded, Jesus ascended from a hilltop into the heavens.

Their faith now high and spirits renewed, the disciples walked together back to Jerusalem to the upper room of a house which was just large enough for them all. Here they began to pray for the gift, “the comforter,” that Jesus had promised them.

While almost all devout Jews were in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, this group chose not to spend their days at the great banquets and feasts. Everyday they returned to the little room where they would again pray fervently for the “Power” that had been promised.

And then, on the last day of the feast of the Pentecost, this group had once again met. But something began to happen! Suddenly there came a sound as if a great windstorm had come into the room! Then everyone began to speak in a language that they had never learned or studied! A feeling of electricity, almost like fire, swept into the room! Here was the Powerful Promise, here was the awaited Comforter!

Speaking in tongues, and endued with a Holy power they had never ever experienced, the group forgot about their fear of the Jewish leaders and spilled out into the street, worshipping God with all their might!!!