Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain

Last week we looked at our role in the crucifixion of Jesus. And in this sermon Peter is very bluntly spelling out for all those that were listening to him how they are to blame for the death of Jesus. Of course, for some in the audience they were literally responsible in that they were likely in the crowd that shouted, “Crucify Him!”. But it is worth noting that many in this crowd were likely not in that crowd but were no less culpable. This was a Jewish holiday and those gathered, gathered to celebrate it. They were Jews and Jesus was their Messiah and they rejected him rather than embraced him.

What should we do?

When they heard Peters message and realized that what he said was true they were left in a crisis of actual guilt. Not guilty feelings, but actual guilt. And worst of all they had no idea what to do with their newly realized guilt.

They cried out, “Brothers, what shall we do?”. I think they wanted to do something to atone for their own sin, but the answer likely surprised them a bit. They were told to change their mind and believe in Jesus but not just believe he existed or that he was good after all. They were to believe in Him FOR the forgiveness of their sins. They had to believe that Jesus was now their source of forgiveness. They were to ask him, as Peter himself had to do not long before this sermon, to forgive them. He was now their only hope and the source of their cleansing and forgiveness. For a Jew in a time that the sacrificial system was in full swing this was a lot to take in. They were being asked to put Jesus in the place of that entire sacrificial system and trust in Him for their forgiveness and cleansing. They really did have to change their minds or “repent” down to the core of their beliefs.

But how?

Like Peter the crowd that day were being forced to look at their recent utter failure. And for those that were being honest with themselves they had to be thinking, “how do I go on without immediately failing again?”. Here again in just a few words Peter gives them an answer they will be digesting for the rest of their lives.

“And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”

Peter was not telling them to go out and try harder next time, he was reminding them of the promise of God in the prophets and announcing to them that the promise gift has been given to all those that put their trust in Jesus. The Holy Spirit has been given in a way that was previously unknown. That pillar of fire that led Israel through the wilderness was now given as a tongue of fire on each believers head, to guide us all through the wilderness to the promised land. The Holy Spirit has been given to all who believe.

“For the promise is for you and for your children

This week let’s encourage ourselves and each other that walking the way of Jesus is not a matter of trying harder so that, “this time I won’t fail”. It is a matter of trusting Jesus for our forgiveness and trusting in the gift of the Holy Spirit to truly change us however slowly into the image of Christ.

Have a great week!