Predicted Long Ago

Scripture: Acts 2:14-42

14 Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. 15 These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. 16 No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. 18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike— and they will prophesy. 19 And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below— blood and fire and clouds of smoke. 20 The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the LORD arrives. 21 But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.’ (Acts 2:14-21 NLT)

Keep in mind that it’s only 53 days since the crucifixion and 50 days since Jesus came out of the tomb alive! The apostles and the other disciples had been staying in touch and kind of “lying low” as the waited for the promise of the Holy Spirit Jesus had given them during his ministry and specifically just over a week earlier before he ascended to heaven. Jerusalem was still stirred up over Jesus’ entrance into the city riding on a donkey, cheered by thousands, and over his exit from the city beaten and bleeding, so badly injured that a stranger was carrying his cross, and over the bloody crucifixion, the midday darkness, the earthquake, and the ripping apart of the veil in the Temple. There was even a rumor he was alive! Thousands of visitors were still in the city until after Pentecost. There was a “what’s next!?!” feeling in the air.

And now the Holy Spirit is poured out and 120 ecstatic believers spill out into the street and Peter steps up with his newly-given Spirit-empowerment and puts it all in perspective for the crowd of thousands that has gathered to see what’s happening. Peter says, “Don’t be surprised, people! The prophets foretold this hundreds of years ago and Jesus promised it a few days ago! These are the last days and here’s what God is doing!

Here’s what really stands out to me from today’s reading: Stuff happens! In our day, with screens and internet, we can spend 24/7 doomscrolling trying to figure out what happens next, and just hoping it doesn’t hurt too much! But God’s game is a long game. Don’t worry so much about trying to figure out what’s next. God knows!

Prayer:

Father, I’m glad you’ve got a plan and that your game is a long game! I trust you to know what’s next and to show me what’s my part in the plan. For the Kingdom’s sake!