Monday Meditation: New Beginnings, Part two: It’s all about Jesus
Many readers grew up thinking about today’s text, or at least some part of it.
Some readers heard it quoted this week as their church observed Pentecost Sunday, which celebrates what these Scriptures recount.
Other readers may be encountering this account for the first time.
But for every reader, the significance is the same. The sermon Peter preached to those awestruck and agitated first-century Jews had just one message: Jesus is the Son of God. No truth is more important to embrace.
Peter’s audience and today’s readers can believe it for the reasons he included:
• The miracles Jesus performed could not have happened by some human slight of hand.
• The resurrection of Jesus, which could have been easily refuted simply by displaying his body, could not be disproven. (Nor has it been disproven since then.)
• The whole testimony of the Old Testament pointed to the fact that God would send his Son to earth to establish a reign that would last forever. And that’s what Jesus had done.
This is the message everyone must grapple with today.
Those who have worshipped him for decades can remember why their allegiance hasn’t waned and renew their commitment to make him alone their Lord.
Those who have lost patience with or interest in today’s church can pause to remember that Jesus is the object of their faith, not some flawed system or spokesperson.
Those struggling to submit to Jesus can consider Peter’s simple testimony and ask, “Why should I hesitate any longer?”
The devotions at this website are here to bring messages especially for caregivers, and certainly caregivers can find encouragement and hope in today’s text.
Caregivers struggling to cope with their surprises and struggles can remember their hope is in Someone bigger than the strife of this life.
But that’s also true for anyone. Acknowledging Jesus as Lord will not remove the roadblocks or erase the aggravations or dissolve the problems common for all of us. But believing what Peter preached can give us something to stand on beyond the disappointing propositions and promises of this life. “God has made this Jesus . . . both Lord and Messiah. . . . The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
We have heard that call, and now we have a pressing opportunity: We can answer.
Read: Acts 2:14-41
Pray: Thank you, Lord, for Jesus. Thank you for keeping your promise to send him. Thank you for making your promise to save us when we acknowledge that he came from you. When we’re pressed, when we’re weary, when we worry, Lord, help us to remember how your gift of Jesus proves your care for us.
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