Paul Zach sings, ‘Were You There?’

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?

Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?

Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble

Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?

Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?

Today’s reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 13:26-33

‘My brothers, you descendants of Abraham’s family, and others who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent. Because the residents of Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize him or understand the words of the prophets that are read every sabbath, they fulfilled those words by condemning him. Even though they found no cause for a sentence of death, they asked Pilate to have him killed. When they had carried out everything that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead; and for many days he appeared to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, and they are now his witnesses to the people. And we bring you the good news that what God promised to our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm,

“You are my Son;

today I have begotten you.”

In today’s passage, Paul continues to speak about salvation. He is addressing a group made up of both Jews and Gentile converts. He recounts how Jesus was handed over by the leaders of his people into the hands of the Romans and executed.

Imagine yourself sitting among the crowd, listening to Paul. The room is crowded. People shift, making space, wondering where Paul is leading them. You hear Paul speak of Jesus’ death with honesty… and of the resurrection with certainty and joy.

Listen as if he were speaking directly to you.

How do his words land in your heart?

Paul reassures his listeners that the resurrection was not just an event - it was, and is, a promise kept. He invites them all to become believers and disciples.

How are you assured of God’s faithfulness?

As you listen to the passage again, reflect on where you experience the Risen Lord in your life today. Perhaps ask yourself: where do you need the spirit of resurrection in your life today?

Acts 13:26-33

‘My brothers, you descendants of Abraham’s family, and others who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent. Because the residents of Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize him or understand the words of the prophets that are read every sabbath, they fulfilled those words by condemning him. Even though they found no cause for a sentence of death, they asked Pilate to have him killed. When they had carried out everything that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead; and for many days he appeared to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, and they are now his witnesses to the people. And we bring you the good news that what God promised to our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm,

“You are my Son;

today I have begotten you.”

“You are my Son; today I have begotten you.”

In this time of prayer, as a beloved child of God, listen quietly for what the Risen Lord may be saying to your heart.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen