Repent

Scripture: Acts 2:22-42

22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. 23 But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. 24 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. 36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” 37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. (Acts 2:22-24, 36-42 NLT)

Peter continued his message to the crowd. He said, “God showed you that Jesus is the promised Messiah and you killed him! God brought him back to life and he is Lord! Jesus is Lord!” The significance that you and I are likely to miss in this is that Peter is saying, “Caesar is not Lord! And Herod is not Lord! And the High Priest is not Lord! Jesus is Lord!” What a difference between this Spirit-filled Peter and the Peter who had denied he even knew Jesus a few weeks earlier!

There’s much for us here, friends! We allow ourselves to continue being manipulated into such polarization that it’s made to appear there are only two possible political stances: Ultra conservatism and Ultra liberalism. Even in our churches we must be so careful what we say and to whom we say it for fear of being labeled with the wrong label and cut off from the fellowship we once enjoyed. And there’s no discussion between “good guys and bad guys”, “loyalists and traitors”, and “us and them”!

According to Peter, we can repent from deifying politicians and demonizing people with whom we disagree! We can be forgiven and cleansed! We can be filled with the Holy Spirit! Our fellowship can be restored! Because Jesus is Lord.

Prayer:

Father, Forgive us for we know not what we do! Heal our souls, mend our divisions, unite us in your Spirit of love. Amen!