This week we’re discussing The Pentecost from Acts 2.

Do you remember elevator music? If you’re too young to remember it, I bet you still know it sub-

consciously. Imagine a movie scene from the 1970’s in which somebody rides in an elevator

and then walks around a department store. That soft, instrumental, bland music your brain is

now playing is what we generically used to call “elevator music.” You will also hear people call it

“Muzak” which was the name of the company that most often provided it. It was like a prehistoric

version of Spotify but with just one playlist. Elevator music was part of the background score for

us 1970’s kids.

But lately I’ve noticed that whether I’m in a chain restaurant or big box retail store, I often like

the music they play. I think what’s happened is that now that I’m the age where my kids are out

of college, but I’m not yet retired, retailers are pandering to me. Some marketing strategist has

determined that if I hear a Talking Heads song in Lowe’s I just might impulse buy a two-by-four.

Friends, I have achieved peak generic demographic retail status.

But of course, marketing strategies can be much more specifically targeted. Watch a kids’ show,

and you see sugary cereal advertisements. Watch the evening news and you’ll be encouraged

to ask your doctor if a product is right for you. But having a message that’s for everybody but

specifically targeted at the same time? Now that’s hard to achieve…

When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one

heard them speaking in his own language. And they were astounded and amazed,

saying, “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? How is it that each of us can

hear in our own native language?” (Acts 2:6-8 HCSB)

The promised Holy Spirit had arrived and had things to say to everyone about the magnificence

of God and went about it in a magnificent way.

God has resurrected this Jesus. We are all witnesses of this. Therefore, since He has

been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised

Holy Spirit, He has poured out what you both see and hear. (Acts 2:32-33 HCSB)



A message intended for all was tailored individually. A Savior for all came to save you and me.

By Mark Stuart

Mark is the husband of Laura, father of Shelby and Jacob, and father-in-law of Bailey.