Focus

Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for a peace at this time.

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Read

Acts 2:22-36 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

“You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him,

‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
moreover my flesh will live in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One experience corruption.
You have made known to me the ways of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

“Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying,

‘He was not abandoned to Hades,
nor did his flesh experience corruption.’

This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at[g] the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

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Reflect

The word “Gospel” means, “Good News.” It is news because it accurately describes events which transpired. Jesus lived and died and was raised up by God. But the Gospel is more than simply “news”; it is also good news. The “good” comes from the promises.

First is the promise of “forgiveness,” — the assurance that all past sins are wiped out. God promises not to bring to his mind our evil deeds; he graciously separates us from our sins as far as the east is from the west.

As wonderful as that is, however, there is more: the gift of the Holy Spirit. We can think of it this way: forgiveness is a promise which deals with our past failures; the presence and power of the Holy Spirit points forward to our future victories. No longer must we be a slave to sin! No longer will it have dominion! No longer must we continue in behavior which destroys both us and our loved ones! We have the Spirit of Holiness. The twin promises of forgiveness and a changed life, through grace and the presence of the Holy Spirit, are tremendous — will we receive these gifts by believing that they are ours?

 

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Pray

Holy Savior, bestow upon us your beautiful gift of forgiveness, so that we change how we live and love the world around us.

Go with God!