Stoking the Fires?
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, I am so thankful that You defeated death for me. May I rejoice in Your life-giving Word today.
Read ACTS 2:29–36
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.”’
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Spend some time reflecting on what it means to you that Jesus is both Messiah and Lord.Almost there—Peter has reached the final part of his (unprepared) sermon. And far from softening the blow, he is almost certainly stoking the fire of future opposition. Even though the stakes are high, he’s not taking the easy way out.
Some (most? all?) of the Jews would have believed that the psalms which Peter quoted (Psa. 16; 110) referred to King David (25–28,34,35). But, Peter said, that wasn’t possible. David was dead and they knew where his tomb was (29). Since, as these disciples had witnessed, Jesus had been raised (32), he was clearly the Messiah. Not only that, he had ascended to the right hand of God (33)—and they were the ones who had crucified him (36)! But there was more Peter said. Jesus is also Lord. If that was a problem for the Jews, it was equally difficult for the Romans. If, as they believed, Caesar was Lord, was Peter saying that Jesus was greater than Caesar?
The resurrection really was important. Not only did it establish the defeat of death, but it was evidence that Jesus was both Messiah and Lord.
Apply
Are there areas of your life where you struggle to accept Jesus as Lord? Ask him to give you special grace today.
Closing prayer
Jesus, be Lord of my life today. I give myself—all that I have and all that I am to You. Do with me what You will.
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