Acts 2:14-21:
And being set, Peter – with the eleven – lifted up his voice
and spoke to them. “Men, Jews, and all
the ones who live in Jerusalem: This is known to you, and listen to my sayings. For it is not as you answer, “these ones are
dunk.” For it is the third hour of the
day!” But this is what has been said
through the prophet Joel: ‘And it will be in the last days,’ says God, ‘I will
pour out from my spirit upon all flesh.
And your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your youth will see visions. And your elders will dream dreams. And indeed, in those days I will pour out
from my spirit upon my male slaves and upon my female slaves and they will
prophesy. And I will give wonders in
heaven and signs upon the earth below: Blood, fire, vapors of smoke. The sun will convert into darkness and the
moon into blood before the great day of the Lord is to come also in full view. And everyone who will be – if he should call
upon the name of the Lord – he will be saved.
Thoughts for Today:
First Thought:
Sometimes it is difficult for us to think that Peter was
right and that we are “in the last days.”
After all, it has been roughly 2,000 years since Jesus’ death and
resurrection. That’s what, 100
generations of people (assuming a generation is 20 years)? How can 100 generations be “the last days?”
On the other hand, when we put it in God’s perspective we
can see why it is called the last days.
We had the time of creation (however long that process took). Then we had the time before sin entered the
world. Then we had the time between the
coming of sin and the giving of the law.
Then we had the time between the giving of the law and the giving of the
Messiah. Now we are in the time between
the first and final coming of the Messiah (the final chance for the world to
hear God’s Gospel of grace and mercy).
In that perspective, we are literally in the “last days.” Until the Messiah came, there was always
something to which humanity can look forward.
The only thing left for us is the second coming of the Messiah and then
judgment. It is the last big span of
time for the world.
Knowing that we are in the last days and that God’s plan is
almost complete, does that give you any reason to be more intentional about
bringing God’s ways to the people in your life?
Second Thought:
Peter is clear that men and women will prophecy as he quotes
Joel 2:28-32. As God unfolds His plan,
God gets more and more inclusive. At
first it was just Abraham. Then it
became the Hebrew people (any willing to obey the Law). Now it has become Jew and Gentile (any who
are willing to follow Christ). We have a
Gospel open to anyone who is willing to obey God’s ways regardless of their
race, color, creed, or gender.
Why do we have people in this world who refuse to see God’s
gradual progression for including people?
Why do people still want to limit who can and cannot “be in Christ”
based on any evaluation other than whether they are a disciple of Jesus Christ
or not?
Passage for Tomorrow: Acts 2:22-24
5 comments:
In this passage I really like how Peter uses the words like blood, fire, and smoke. This passage also shows that God loves everyone if they will follow Him. People are less accepting of others a lot of how they've been raised and maybe just that inset fears of other races?
Okay, so I have to ask. What is so likable about "blood, smoke, and fire." I agree with you, I like the imagery. But why do you like the imagery?
As to your other thoughts, do you think it is "because they have been raised" or "because they don't want to change who they are to become what God sees in them?"
I like the imagery because its so bold and blunt I guess. I think its mostly because people don't want to change to do what God wants them to do...possibly because a change in their ways may not fit their society but there is always the fact that people don't like change and wont accept it...make sense maybe?
I think it makes perfect sense. So much of a "lack" in expressed faith has to do with being unable to overcome the "inertia" involved with staying the same.
Think about it, and it really makes sense.
Why do most people not go to church on Sunday even if they actually do believe in God? They don't have the strength to overcome the "inertia" involved with actually getting up and going.
Why don't we care for the person being picked on in the hallway? Because we don't have the inner motivation to overcome the inertia of "being one of the crowd." We like things the way they are - even if we know we should be doing something different. Change is hard.
Amen.
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