22 April 2014 - spirit preaching

22 April 2014 - spirit preaching

“Let the whole house of Israel know for certain
that God has made him both Lord and Christ,
this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Whom we crucified?  Yes.  But look at the context.  Even this brief exhortation doesn't accuse us without first pointing out the Cross is not the end.  Jesus is now established as Lord and Christ.  We crucify him, yes, but only as a part of his plan.  He lays down his life for his sheep, no one takes it from him.  We see our sins, no longer in isolation, but as part of God's plan for redemption.

The Apostles know this.  Their preaching is anointed by the Holy Spirit.  The crowd doesn't hear condemnation.  They hear invitation.  They hear the Holy Spirit on the lips of the Apostles.  They know that there is something broken within their hearts.  At a deep level they know they bear the blame for the death of Jesus.  As we all do.  But now there is hope.
“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.

The eyes of the LORD are upon us if we just hope in him.  We hope in the kindness of the LORD which is greater than our own sinfulness..  He does deliver us from death and preserve us in spite of famine.  Even when we are confused and the LORD seems distant he is not far off.  Even when the circumstances of the world and the circumstances of our own brokenness seem insurmountable he is near us and calls our name.

Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,”
which means Teacher.

He has so united us to himself that we now share one Father with him.  Let us repent and receive the Holy Spirit.  Let us join the Apostles in witnessing to the fact that, yes, we are broken, but now there is hope.