Acts

I was reading my bible this morning and searching for bible verses on a certain topic, the topic of Jesus eating with various folks, and came across the second to last verse of Acts 2,They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, and wanted to know who were the "they " who were eating, so I turned to the chapter's beginning and found the following summarized account of Jesus' life. As we approach the celebration of Easter, there are many who have no real clue as to why Easter is such a significant celebration in the lives of Christians. And just in case you might need a "Cliff" note version as to how to explain it if someone were to show interest, this is it! Verses 1-17 is a backdrop as to how the discussion began...but then Peter eloquently gives the Israelites a summary of the story behind Jesus' redemptive blood. You know the story, and know the blessings that come from that knowledge, oh but we are to share that knowledge, and make it come to life just as Peter did.
I understand that taking about Jesus kind of puts us in an awkward position of serious status, and kind of takes the fun and flare out of social talk, but everyone likes a good story, and this is one of the best. If we consider it a story of wonder and grace, pertinent to the joy and peace for each of us living today and not just a preachy teachy fact lesson of a life long ago that seemingly has no merit today, then that helps us to glide into the reason for the Easter season, and why this celebration maintains such great depth for the Christian believer.

Even if you don't want to talk about it, if you read Peter's account it will give you pause to think about it through your day. And isn't this story of Jesus' undaunted courage, ultimate sacrifice, utter dependence and complete obedience one that God would want us to reflect on an everyday basis not just during an Easter Season. Why not put it on the front burner of your mind today...and keep the fire hot with expectation and dedication to the one who has given us the ability, and opened the doors of the heavenly kingdom, to let any who call on the name of Jesus to have a one on one relationship with God through his son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

I know this is unusual devotional, but I try to write what I am nudged to write through prayer. I began with a different topic today and was gently swayed to present this chapter in Acts.

Acts 2
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: "Aren't all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."
Peter Addresses the Crowd
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 "'In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.'[c]

22 "Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him:

"'I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and rejoices;
my body also will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
you will not let your holy one see decay.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.'

(Just as David had this confidence...so may we who believe in Christ with all our hearts)

29 "Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

"'The Lord said to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet."'

36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah."

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call."

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Dear Lord, thank you for the celebration that we are able to partake in of Eater. Thank you for the life, death and resurrection of your son Jesus. May we be mindful of his presence through the Holy Spirit and seek to follow his ways. Amen
Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!