Jesus, Now Exalted Lord
Opening Prayer
Loving Lord God, I thank You that Jesus died so that I might know that I am loved and forgiven.
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.
Meditate
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty… God in three persons, blessed Trinity” (Reginald Heber, 1783–1826). Sing or meditate on the words of this age-old hymn. Check the internet for complete lyrics.
Think Further
Peter continued his proclamation to fellow Jews, in the Spirit’s power, demonstrating from the psalms how the Messianic prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus. First, in Psalm 132, God promised that David’s descendant would rule on his throne forever (Psa. 132:11,12; also Psa. 89:3,4,36; 2 Sam. 7:12–16). Since there had been no Davidic king since the Babylonian exile, Jews believed that the Messiah would fulfill this prophecy. Peter made the connection with Jesus, now ascended to God’s throne and reigning forever. Second, Psalm 16 said that God’s holy one would not be abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor would he see decay (Psa. 16:10). This obviously did not refer to David, whose tomb was a well-known site in Jerusalem. It confirmed the resurrection, because Jesus’ body was no longer in the tomb. The whole apostolic band could witness to having seen, heard and touched his resurrection body. Finally, from Psalm 110, Peter stated that Jesus was exalted to God’s right hand (34,35) and proved that this was so by pouring out his Holy Spirit, evidenced by the signs seen by his hearers. Thus Jesus fulfills all of the divine promises.
This was radical thinking for any Jew. Peter affirmed that Jesus, whom they had so recently crucified, was now sharing God’s place of favor and supremacy over the universe. The contrast could not be starker. Israel had crucified her Messiah, but God had confirmed him as Lord and Messiah and “exalted him to be in reality and power what he was already by right” (John Stott). No wonder their response was, “What shall we do?” (37). The awfulness of their sin was apparent. Here, on this birthday of the church, the Spirit empowered Peter to proclaim Jesus as Lord and Messiah, but the Spirit also convicted the hearers of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). All members of the Trinity were involved in the proclamation of the Gospel.
Apply
How has God worked powerfully in your life? How can you obediently cooperate with him in bringing people to salvation through Christ?
Closing prayer
Lord, I ask for clarity of thought and presentation as I seek to faith-share with others.
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