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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion April 1, 2008 What Will You Do? |
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Frontline Devotion for Tuesday, April 1, 2008 by Anne B. Crawford
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has
made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” When the people
heard this they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles,
“Brothers, what shall we do?”
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.
(Acts 2:36-38 (NIV))
A voiceover sets the scene - a sunny vacation day in a faraway spot. A happy couple walks along when suddenly, from out of nowhere, someone snatches the woman’s purse and vanishes. Alone – all their cash and valuable gone, the voice intones “What will you do? What will you do?”
Some may remember these Karl Malden TV commercials for American Express travelers’ checks. In each ad, the point was made how quickly a happy situation could go bad and how tough a spot the hapless couple or individual was in – unless they had the coveted American Express travelers’ checks. The ‘victims’ in the commercials were always surprised and frantic about their situation and the bind they’d gotten themselves into.
In today’s reading, Peter is addressing a Jewish audience (part of the crowd gathered at Pentecost). These were people who probably thought they were in a pretty good relationship with God. But, armed with the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter’s words ‘rob’ them of their comfort. Suddenly, they are like the victims in the travelers check ads – not financially distressed, but spiritually empty and without resources – and their cry goes out “what shall (will) we do?”
The revelation that Jesus, who had been crucified, was the Messiah – God’s Son – was stunning, particularly for the Jews whose understanding of God ran to the Old Testament version of a God who frequently got ‘angry’ with His people for turning away from Him. Perhaps their “what shall we do?” was a plea for some penance or atonement short of forfeiting their lives for having offended God by their treatment of Jesus and failure to recognize (before) who He was. Perhaps their cry was simply a plea for some way to escape the wrath of God that they feared. Whatever the motivation, Peter’s response is one of hope and reconciliation, not condemnation and punishment. Peter calls on them to turn from their former ways (repent), be baptized (acknowledge Christ’s Lordship), and tells them these actions will lead not to punishment but to the gift of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Jesus’ message to all of us, when we’re in deep trouble and wonder “what will we do,” is to repent and come to Him. He is always ready to forgive and grant us the gift of the Holy Spirit. That is the most valuable spiritual resource to have in our daily walk. As yet another American Express ad puts it: “don’t leave home without it!”
Prayer: Jesus, sometimes the recognition of our sinfulness overwhelms us and we don’t know what to do. Help us not to freeze up in fear of punishment, but to repent and call upon your resurrection love to sustain and fill us with the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit, so that we may serve you daily. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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