Scripture Reading
Acts 2:29-36
Peter's sermon at Pentecost ties together so many important aspects of the Jewish tradition and the connection that it has with our faith as Christians. Peter's sermon was addressed primarily to other Jews (Acts 2:14). Peter's own faith was as a Jew who came to believer that a Jewish carpenter from Nazareth was the promised Messiah, who would reign forever on David's throne. Peter was pleading with his fellow Jews to open their eyes to the reality of their Messiah who had recently been crucified and resurrected from the dead.
Peter turns his sermon's focus to the greatest leader and hero of Israel, David. The shepherd boy, turned king was remembered as Israel's greatest leader and a spiritual giant for his radical obedience to God. Peter knew that to gain his audience's attention he had to focus on the greatest figure in their history.
Peter points out that David himself realized that the promise of a descendant to reign on his throne was temporal but was also referring to the promised Messiah. Peter emphatically claims that this promised Messiah is Jesus of Nazareth. Peter quotes from David's own confession to Jesus as his (David's) Lord. This confession illustrates the importance and esteem that David placed on Jesus as the Savior of his people (Israel).
For Christians in 2020, we do not really question Jesus as being the Messiah. What we question is whether or not we will submit to his Lordship over our life. Will we call Jesus Lord of our life or the one that keeps us out of the doors of hell? As the old preacher always used to say, "If he's not Lord of all, he's not Lord at all!" Have you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life?
Prayer: God, I confess that Jesus, your son is the Messiah that you promised many years ago. I acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior of all my life. Help me to live each day for you. Amen.
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