Eastertide

April 10, 2023

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-32

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.

‘You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him,
“I saw the Lord always before me,
   for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
   moreover, my flesh will live in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
   or let your Holy One experience corruption.
You have made known to me the ways of life;
   you will make me full of gladness with your presence.” –Acts 2:14a, 22-28

Peter quotes Psalms 16:8-11 to express David’s declaration about the constancy of the Lord’s presence with him always. The coming of Jesus Christ and his life, death, and resurrection testifies to the Lord’s presence with those seeking him from that time forward.

After weeks of mourning, on the traditional celebration of Pentecost, Jesus’s disciples realized the need to get their act together and follow Jesus’s commandment to Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:19-20)

I cannot imagine what the Disciples experienced on the day of Pentecost, but it got them out of their grief and into the work of God’s Kingdom. We have that same call today.

Prayer: Lord, grant us the strength and courage to build the beloved community you envisioned for us all. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.