July 6th, 2011
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Behold the Man

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Opening Prayer

Amazing God, You shape the stars and comfort broken hearts. Speak to me today as I come before You.

Read Acts 2:14-39

[14] Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. [15] These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! [16] No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: [17] “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. [18] Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. [19] I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. [20] The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. [21] And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ [22] “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. [23] This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. [24] But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. [25] David said about him: “‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. [26] Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, [27] because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. [28] You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ [29] “Brothers, 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 ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. [32] God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. [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 Christ.” [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.”

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“Most wonderfully, the Spirit is God’s face turned towards us and God’s presence abiding with us, the agency by which God reaches out and draws near, the power that creates and heals” (Clark H. Pinnock).

Think Further

Jesus had promised that the Spirit would enable the disciples to witness in power. Peter demonstrates here the truth of that promise (32). Left to his own devices, Peter would hang around the fire and deny Jesus. Now empowered by the Spirit, he can stand before a crowd of thousands and proclaim Jesus. The Spirit still makes similarly profound changes in our lives and provides the same power for our ministries.

The source of Peter’s authority is twofold: the indwelling Spirit and the inspired Scripture. Talking to a Jewish audience well-versed in the prophetic writings, Peter declares that the long-awaited day of the Lord prophesied by Joel (Joel 2:28-30) has now come. But Peter makes a significant change: Joel talks about the “dreadful” day of the Lord, Peter of the “glorious” day (20). Both terms are designed to capture a sense of awe, but Peter sees the positive element. A day once seen as vindication for one nation is now seen as acceptance for all nations (17, 21).

Peter’s message centers on Jesus. He speaks of Jesus, the man (22). This may not seem the most natural place to start. We may want to point people to his divinity. But without a robust understanding of the incarnation—of the Word truly made flesh—there can be no message of hope. The knowledge that, in Jesus, God became one of us provides a more realistic starting point for talking about his deity. More, this is Jesus crucified (23) and risen (24). His atoning death is essential to our salvation, but the resurrection is the guarantee of our new life. A gospel which does not give people the hope of a new way of living based on Jesus’ risen life, and does not introduce them to the worship of the exalted King, is not good news.

Apply

Review your own understanding and presentation of the gospel message in the light of Peter’s sermon. What would you add or change?

Closing prayer

Lord, often You’re part of my life rather than the center of it, a distraction rather than the direction. Enable me to be a faithful and true witness for You.

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