Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 2:32-33
32 “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. 33 Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.
32 “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. 33 Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.
Commentary:
2:33 The interactive and differentiated relationship among the persons of the Trinity is clearly evident in this verse. Thus God the Father first gave the promise that the Holy Spirit would come in a greater, more powerful way to accomplish his work in people’s lives (as indicated in Peter’s quote from Joel 2 in Acts 2:17–19). Then, when Christ’s work on earth was accomplished, Christ was exalted to the second highest position of authority in the universe, namely, at the right hand of God, with ruling power delegated to him by God the Father. Then Christ received authority from the Father to send the Holy Spirit in this new fullness. Finally, on the day of Pentecost, Jesus himself poured out the Holy Spirit on the disciples in a new and more powerful way (cf. vv. 1–11); the image of pouring suggests overflowing abundance and fullness.
Questions:
- The gospel is PREEMINENT. In verse 33 Peter says that Jesus is now exalted to the highest place of honor at God's right hand. Jesus is sitting because his work is finished, but he won't be sitting for long! One day, he will get up and return and his enemies will be humbled and made his footstool. Why do you think we can so seldomly think of Christ's return? What are the advantages of keeping this event on the forefront of our minds?
- He tells them that Jesus is Lord and that they were now an enemy of God! It's interesting to note that Peter has so far led with the BAD news. This is because a savior doesn't make sense until you realize you need saving! And if Jesus is, indeed, preeminent, then repentance is your only response. We must turn to God, humbly bow before him and confess that "Jesus is Lord!" There should be sorrow over our sin and guilt, realizing that we have infinitely offended a holy and righteous God. It should be enough to make us turn from sin, to hate it. What about you? Do you hate sin? Or are you a little casual about sin in your life? How often do you think about God's Spirit being grieved over your sin?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would think daily about Jesus' return.
- That you would remember that your sin grieves God and should grieve you.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
2. Are there sources outside the Bible that confirm the Biblical account of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead? Many Roman and Jewish historians have confirmed that the apostles died as martyrs for preaching that they saw Jesus risen from the grave. No one dies for something they know to be a lie.
(Luke 1:1-4; Acts 26:26; 1 John 1:1-4, Josephus, Clement, Hegesippus, Tertullian, Origen, Polycarp)
(Luke 1:1-4; Acts 26:26; 1 John 1:1-4, Josephus, Clement, Hegesippus, Tertullian, Origen, Polycarp)
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