David Bahn – Reflections

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

Acts 2:5-13, 37

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. ⁷ And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? ⁹ Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, ¹¹ both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” ¹² And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” ¹³ But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

³⁷ Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

The year was 2000. We were sitting in the square of Munich, Germany and I wanted to go buy some postage stamps so we could mail postcards back to the United States. Diane was with me, and I practiced, “Ich möchte zehn Briefmarken für die Vereinigten Staaten, bitte.” (I want 10 postage stamps for the United States, please.) I went to the post office and did my best possible, “Ich möchte zehn Briefmarken…” The postal clerk got the stamps and said in perfect English(!), “That’ll be ten bucks.” So much for my German language prowess.

Diane, on the other hand navigated a transaction in a German bakery completely in German later that day. She had studied in Germany years earlier and she said she got to the point that she would almost dream in German. I’ve never even gotten lose to dreaming in German, French, Greek or Hebrew – although I can wade through some of those given enough time and grace.

On Pentecost 33 AD, God opened hearts to the Good News of Jesus through the message spoken by the disciples in the various languages of the people who had gathered in Jerusalem for this major Old Testament festival. Those who heard it marveled that they were hearing of the mighty deeds of God in their own tongues. The message didn’t have to be translated. It went straight to their hearts.

Heart language is the language we think in, dream in, and in which we speak to our dearest lover. No translation is needed. For a deaf person it is ASL. For a Mexican immigrant it is likely Spanish. For a citizen of Munich it would be German. And while the sounds might be different, the meaning behind those sounds is the same.

I shared this thought with the children at church last Sunday. I had sheets of paper reading, “Jesus loves you,” in various languages:

• Ο Ιησούς σε αγαπάει (Greek)
• Jesus amat te (Latin)
• ישו אוהב אותך (Hebrew)
• Jesus liebt dich (German)
• Iso sizni sevadi (Uzbek)
• Ježiš ťa miluje (Slovak)
• Jesús te ama (Spanish)
• Yesu anakupenda (Swahili)
• Jésus t’aime (French)
• المسيح يحبك (Arabic)
• 耶穌愛你 (Chinese)
• यीशु आपसे प्यार करते हैं (Hindi)

There are many more languages into which those words have been translated over the years. Groups like Lutheran Bible Translators and Wycliffe Bible Translators have translated the Bible into many different languages. The sounds vary by language. But the message is the same, “Jesus loves you.” That’s the good news that needs to get to our heart.

Sometimes, however, our hearts need to be broken before the sweetness of Jesus’ love finds its way there. God used Peter’s sermon that day to do just that and Luke reports that, “Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’” Repent and be baptized Peter says. And you will be saved. That calling remains true today, and continues to strike the hearts of many.