5/23/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
Rather than an Epistle reading for Trinity Sunday we have a reading from Acts chapter two. I’d like to draw your attention today to verses 22-24. Specifically, we ask what kind of Jesus is presented in Peter’s sermon?
In verse 22 we see that he is a man. We don’t need to say it apologetically. God regularly uses masculine terminology to describe himself. This, however, is not the “toxic masculinity” so often described by our culture. It is the kind of masculinity we men could all learn from. It is clear about duty, responsibility, and the need to care for others. Jesus is a real man. He is really masculine and he is human. His human nature is complete, like mine, but unlike mine, his is not destroyed by sin. Jesus is man, more man than I can ever be in this life.
Verse 22 also says Jesus is “attested by God.” His identity and work have been shown by divine evidence. God lives in Jesus. If we want to see God, we look at Jesus.
Verse 23 shows that Jesus was delivered over to death. This again is part of Jesus’ true masculinity. Someone had to die for sin. He didn’t want it to be you. He knew that he was the only one who could effectively die to take away your sin, so he did it. This was not an act of bullying cruelty on the part of the Father. It was the will of God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Central to Peter’s idea is that the people of Jerusalem killed Jesus. He was taken by sinners for the benefit of sinners.
Finally, in verse 24, God raised Jesus from the dead. His life conquered death. This Jesus who could die for you can also live for you. This shows God’s glory.
What is the result of having this kind of Jesus? In his resurrection God gives life and resurrection to all who believe. Jesus no longer lies in death. Through him, all can live. This is the message which moved thousands in Jerusalem to repentance and forgiveness that day. We, too, are set free in Jesus to receive his forgiveness and inherit life. It’s all because Jesus is such a powerful savior.
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