Acts 2:14a, 36-41
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.
Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.’
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’ And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.
Reflection - You!
"...this Jesus whom you crucified." The "you" that echoes throughout all time. If anyone think that they are not part of this "you" - think again.
Each one of us are guilty of nailing Jesus to that cross. Each one of us and all of us are responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus. Our sin, my sin, your sin, all the sin of this world was the reason for this sacrifice of Jesus on that cross a couple thousand years ago. We are all guilty.
But
God has a plan set in motion. A plan that didn't end in death but rather a plan that ended in the gift of life. To all who believe in Jesus we can have eternal life. A plan that ends with the gift of life if only we take the gift, if only we accept the gift, if only we come to God and seek forgiveness of our sins... then why wouldn't we respond?
Respond in joy and thanksgiving, seek forgiveness, be baptized and believe? Why not? What harm could any of this do even if we doubt? Why not? It's the gift of salvation!
So we repent... that isn't just a "sorry," rather it's a turn your life around. We went from killing Jesus to the realization that Jesus is the Messiah... Jesus is God... Jesus is the Savior! That's a turn around we all need to take!
Then we are baptized. We become part of the community of people that believe in Jesus as Savior and live out renewed life in the Church of God. Our focus is now on Christ and the Holy Spirit... the new breath of life given to us through Jesus resurrection resulting in the gift of the Holy Spirit.
So the "you" is for all of us. We all have crucified Jesus. And the gift of the Holy Spirit is for all the "yous" or maybe "ewes" who have turned to God in repentance and been baptized and accepted this Gospel of Salvation and given the Holy Spirit.
I guess we changed from "yous" to "ewes" --- Thanks be to God!
Song
"Baa Baa Baa"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpYgYoNGM38
Prayer
Lord, I turn my life to you and follow in your will and your way. Lead me this day that any and all may turn to you as Savior and see and believe. Let all your sheep go and tell the wonderful gift you have given to all the world that we may all live forever in your unity of love and forgiveness and new life... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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