Shavuot (Pentecost) is the anniversary of the giving of the Law of Moses to Israel at Mount Sinai. The central tenet of this Law was what is called “The Shema.” A metal plaque containing Deuteronomy 6:4-9 in Hebrew is still commonly posted on a plaque at the entrance to a modern Jewish home. It would not be a bad idea for Christians to do the same, in reference to the Law of Christ.
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
This celebration is a reminder to focus daily on bringing up our children in the ways of the Lord our God.
Jesus also brought the New Law, the Law of Christ, to free Israel from the Law of Moses, and bring the Gentiles into the inheritance apart from the Law of Moses. Shavuot is also the anniversary of the first Christian Pentecost, when Jesus sent the Breath of Truth to continue to illuminate and teach the proper application of His Law in this age.
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:1-4 NKJ)
We should use this holiday to annually teach our children the basics of the Law of Christ from Matthew 5-7.
Living as a Christian in this World 