God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah. Acts 2:36
Les Misérables begins with paroled convict Jean Valjean stealing a priest’s silver. He’s caught, and he expects to be returned to the mines. But the priest shocks everyone when he claims he’d given the silver to Valjean. After the police leave, he turns to the thief, “You belong no longer to evil, but to good.”
Such extravagant love points to the love that flowed from the fountain from which all grace comes. On the day of Pentecost, Peter told his audience that less than two months before, in that very city, they had crucified Jesus. The crowd was crushed and asked what they must do. Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38). Jesus had endured the punishment they deserved. Now their penalty would be forgiven if they put their faith in Him.
Oh, the irony of grace. The people could only be forgiven because of Christ’s death—a death they were responsible for. How gracious and powerful is God! He’s used humanity’s greatest sin to accomplish our salvation. If God has already done this with the sin of crucifying Jesus, we may assume there’s nothing He can’t turn into something good. Trust the One who “in all things . . . works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).
Read: Acts 2:32-41 (NIV)
32 God has raised this Jesus to life,f and we are all witnessesg of it.
33 Exaltedh to the right hand of God,i he has received from the Fatherj the promised Holy Spiritk and has poured outl what you now see and hear.
34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.” ’f m
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lordn and Messiah.”o
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”p
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized,q every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.r And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.s
39 The promise is for you and your childrent and for all who are far offu—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”v
41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their numberw that day.
INSIGHT
- Have you given yourself to Jesus?
- If not, what’s holding you back?
- If you have, what will it mean for you to give your fears to Him as well?
The significance of the apostle Peter’s preaching on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14–41) can’t be overstated. He was the first to publicly preach the gospel after Jesus’ return to heaven. His sermon established the pattern for the preaching we see in Acts, the rest of the New Testament, and subsequent preaching about Christ. What were the features of Peter’s public proclamation of Jesus? It was rooted in Scripture (Acts 2:17–20 [Joel 2]; Acts 2:25–28 [Psalm 16]; Acts 2:34–35 [Psalm 110:1]). He presented it in clear terms, explaining how God had made Jesus “both Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:36). Finally, Peter’s preaching called for a response with the offer of forgiveness and the gift of God’s Spirit to all who would receive (v. 38).
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank You for Your extravagant love that rescued me from my sin. Please take all my fears and help me to trust You. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Acts 2:32-41 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Exodus 7-8; Matthew 15:1-20
