[Monday's Devotional] - Preach it! It's all about Jesus

“God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” Acts 2:36b [NIV]

Before we begin, if you have time, do read Acts 2:14-41.

Something Hannah and I do frequently is download sermons from different churches online. It’s a real blessing to hear different people from all over the world teaching God’s word and preaching the good news about Jesus.  As I listen I am encouraged, challenged and equipped for living for Jesus today.  But what would it be like to listen in to a talk from one of the apostles?  How about downloading something from the early church?  What an opportunity!  That’s what we’ll be doing this week as we look at five of the sermons recorded in the book of Acts.

This first is from the day of Pentecost.  A crowd has gathered around the first believers as, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, they have spilled out onto the streets from the upper room.  Peter has what seems a tough task on his hands.  His message has to explain to the people around him what on earth has happened.  Why the noise, the tongues and celebrations?  For Peter the answer is simple: “It’s all about Jesus,” he says.

Peter tells them about Jesus’ ministry (v22), his trial and death (v.23) and his resurrection (v.24). In case his listeners wondered how on earth that could happen, Peter goes on to show from the Psalms that David prophesied the resurrection of the Messiah. “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses,” he says (v32).  Now that Jesus is raised to the right hand of God he has “poured out” the promised Holy Spirit (v33).

It’s all about Jesus.  He’s the only one who can give us a new life since he has been raised to life himself.  It’s all about Jesus.  He is the heart and essence of our faith: we will never get further or better than the truths that Peter proclaims of the historical events of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.  It’s all about Jesus.  “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” (v36) – he’s the one Israel had yearned for, the world’s only Master and Saviour. It’s all about Jesus.

Reflection: Think about what Jesus has done for you.  Visit again his cross and the empty tomb.  Know again that he gives you his life by his Spirit.  What was the people’s response to Jesus that day?  What response does Jesus ask of you?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I worship you for who you are. Thank you that you truly came, that you died and rose again for me, and now give me your life through the Holy Spirit. May I live in his power today. Amen.

Olly Mears