July 23rd - Word and Reflection

Acts 2:22-36 (NRSV)

The Messiah is handed over to death

"You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know - this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him,

'I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
moreover my flesh will live in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One experience corruption.
You have made known to me the ways of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.'

"Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying,

'He was not abandoned to Hades,
nor did his flesh experience corruption.'

This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

'The Lord said to my Lord,
"Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool." '

Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified."

Reflection
Jesus is close by and Jesus is your Savior. A big thing to know and believe. Jesus is always close by and Jesus is your Savior. Consider all the troubles David had in life, he knew that God was close and that God was his Savior. Maybe David didn't fully understand the depth of the promise God had made to him for an eternal King, but David believed it anyway.

Jesus is close by and Jesus is you Savior. In your sin, in your joy, in your service, in your life...Jesus is closer than you think. It's time to run to Jesus and acknowledge his faithful love and friendship. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
This morning, I run to open that door and go out into your kingdom with you to play. As we play, may we remember our friends in need and help them. --- Amen