CUT TO THE HEART
Opening Prayer
‘Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law’ (Psalm 119:18).
Read Acts 2:29–41
29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out 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.”’[a]
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
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?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—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.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Footnotes
- Acts 2:35 Psalm 110:1
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What brought you to repentance?And it suddenly got real. Having demonstrated that the events of Jesus’ life matched the key indicators of the promised Messiah, then preaching about Jesus and His current glory (32, 33), Peter decisively moved to his hearers’ guilt: ‘whom you crucified’ (36). It’s a curious phrase because the pilgrims weren’t in town when the Jewish authorities dragged Jesus to Pilate (John 18:28), when Pilate asked whom he should release (Matthew 27:20–26). The pilgrims weren’t at Golgotha as Jesus was crucified (Mark 15:22). So what did Peter mean? The Israelites as a whole (22, 29) were responsible. More soberingly, we are all involved. Every one of us is guilty of sin through breaking God’s law, even if only ever on just one point (James 2:10). Through His love and mercy, Jesus ‘gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own …’ (Titus 2:14).
Peter’s hearers know this to be true and call out in desperation, ‘What shall we do?’ (37). The answer was as true then as it is today: repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ; receive forgiveness of your sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (38).
Apply
Are there any sins you need to repent of today in honor and obedience to Christ and the sacrifice He made for us? Humbly come before Him today.
Closing prayer
Thank You, God, that though I was far from You, through Jesus, You have brought me into relationship with You.
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