January 18, 2023 | Be On Mission
Jesus' Crucifixion & Resurrection
Scripture: Acts 2:22-35 (NIV)
22 “Fellow Israelites, 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 deliberate plan 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 rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
you will not 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 “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.”’
Devotional
As Peter continued his sermon that launched the Christian faith, don’t forget that he was doing so in Jerusalem, where Jesus had been crucified just over seven weeks earlier. Many in the crowd had been present when they yelled, “Crucify Him!” They knew all about Jesus.
That is why it was so bold for Peter to proclaim, “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. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” They had killed Jesus. Certainly they could kill Peter.
Then Peter went on to confirm the rumors that Jesus had indeed been raised from the dead. He even used the words from beloved King David a thousand years earlier to point to the resurrection of the Messiah. Peter wrapped up this section of his sermon by announcing that Jesus has ascended into Heaven and was responsible for pouring out the Holy Spirit so evident on that day!
For all of Peter’s faults, nobody could call him a coward. He risked life and limb to proclaim the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus the Messiah. He couldn’t have known how it would turn out. Or could he?
Jesus had promised him and the other disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came on them (Acts 1:8). Ten days later, on the day of Pentecost, they did (Acts 2:1-4). The promise and the experience of receiving the Holy Spirit gave Peter every confidence he needed to boldly proclaim the truth about Jesus, even in a hostile environment.
What about you? What words describe how you feel about sharing Jesus with people in your family, neighborhood, school, work or social settings? Confidence? Fear? Excitement? Anticipation? Indifference? Cowardice? Uncertainty?
Ask the Holy Spirit to come upon you and give you holy boldness to share Jesus. Ask for the same kind of power experienced and expressed by Peter!
Poem
The “Us-Our” Plan
Acts 2: 23b
The “Us-Our” being set the plan
Sculptured, a-sketched
Purposed, full-sure
Upon the Rock of Ages
The “Us-Our” being hovered o’er
The chaos, carving forth the shores
A-lifting, shaping
Breathing life
All fed by Living Water
Now time in place, rebellion rose
The “Us-Our” one full ‘midst the throes
A-shaking those
Who’d gone asleep
The faithful Priest, King, Prophet
A-gifting of the “Us-Our” God
A humbled foot upon the sod
A-healing, tally
Good News borne
Long promised great Messiah
The “Us-Our” shofar blew aloud
A-calling those who wandered, proud
For you, for them
For those unseen
The gathering Good Shepherd
Now “Us-Our” said the time had come
The plan had reached its optimum
Pure sacrifice
Blood altar drenched
Behold the Lamb of God
The “Us-Our” then with victor’s shout
Behold, The Plan, all sorted out
The past, the future
In between
The Resurrected Savior
A-long ago, ‘fore time began
The “Us-Our” being set the plan
Sculptured, created
Purposed, Sure
Upon the Rock of Ages
