Acts 2:14-28 (NIV)
Christians believe that at the end of the age the dead will be raised to life. And don’t we long for it? Have you ever wondered if ours would be the generation to see it? Today my wife was driving by a cemetery and all of a sudden thought, “What if I looked over and just saw people climbing up out of the earth… looking beautiful, healthy and totally alive…” She said her heart started to race just imagining the thought. Wouldn’t it be incredible for it all to happen in our lifetime?
In today’s passage we get a glimpse into first-century Jewish longings and anticipations in a similar way. They believed that theirs was the generation in which the words of the prophets would come true and the promises of God for Israel’s salvation would begin to be fulfilled. They were looking for it, waiting for it.
Yesterday we heard the story of Pentecost, where the Spirit of God was poured out onto over a hundred people, and the “wonders of God” were declared by them in languages they had never learned... to ears from distant lands, in their own native tongues. It was a miracle. A sign. Flames... like the burning bush, like the pillar of fire that guided the Israelites out of Egypt. God was with them... in them… This must be what the prophets had meant by “the last days…” —the age of Israel’s climax in the story of God, the last period of time before the completion of God’s work to reunite heaven and earth. It was beginning... Can you imagine the excitement?
Out of this understanding and this longing, Peter preaches to those who’ve gathered because of hearing the “wonders of God” in their native languages. He helps the people interpret what’s happening in God’s story in their story, in light of Jesus Death, and resurrection.
----------REFLECT----------
1. What words or phrases stood out to you?
2. Usually in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was “with” or “on” one or two people for a specific task… so the nature of this outpouring was something new… something extraordinary. How have you understood the person of the Holy Spirit? His work, his filling, his presence?
3. Can you imagine the simultaneous thrill of experiencing this incredible sign of God’s Spirit and horror at realizing that you had a part in the murder of the Messiah? If we belong to Jesus, we have felt this in some way. The overwhelming love and power offered to us stands right beside our own sin and failure. But He does not ba ck away. In what ways do you need to both acknowledge your sin and failure and allow God’s Spirit to work in and through you?
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Bible Project: Acts 1-12 Overview >>
InterVarsity Press Selections: Acts >>
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