Opening Prayer
Lord, give us a thorough knowledge of sin and living faith. Amen.
Text: Acts 2:22–28
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know – Him, being delivered by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; moreover my flesh will also rest in hope, because You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of joy in Your presence.'”
Devotion
The Holy Spirit through Peter speaks serious words to the Israelites and to us. His words cut to their heart; so they should also do with us. Because of our sins God out of His love gave His Son, and we crucified Him with wicked hands. As long as we think that only others are guilty of the blood of God’s Son, then we take it easy. But when we realize that we ourselves are the ones, then it becomes a completely different matter. Though the unbelieving Jews first and foremost are guilty of the blood of God’s Son, still they are not alone in it; we joined in murdering the Lord of glory. For He died for sin. Our sin condemned and killed Him.
You people, whom God loves so much, that He gave His Son for you, how terrible that you crucify the only-begotten Son of God with evil hearts and bloody hands! As many as are led by God’s Spirit know this and are grieved by it, but the world will not admit that they nailed God’s Son to the cross. If you can hear the Lord’s Word and regard it in your conscience, then it should confirm itself as truth to your heart. Certainly with your evil thoughts, words, and deeds you have scourged, mocked, and crucified the Lord, for whom you are named. And as long as you deny His deity or despise His grace and tread His blood underfoot, then you are in the mob and in partnership with Caiaphas and Pilate who condemn Him.
But God’s love is greater than our greatest sin. The worst atrocity heaven and earth have seen is this: that God’s only-begotten Son is crucified by His own people. According to His determined plan this becomes our salvation. This is the height and depth of love, the death of death and the life of mankind, the angel’s song of praise, and the salvation of all the redeemed. By death He pays the price of sin and then arises in glory. Love conquers and triumphs. “He was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification” (Rom 4:25). And now He sends us His Holy Spirit, through Him gives us the fruit of the work of His salvation, His saving grace, and He creates faith in our hearts, by which we receive it. Thus we receive part in Him and live with Him. He rejoices in us, and all heaven rejoices in our fortune. O give Him your hearts, believe in Him, and live in Him!
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, precious Savior, living God, give me grace that I may always with humble heart believe in You, honor You, and serve You, and in all eternity praise Your name. Amen.
Hymn
But what hath moved Thee, gracious Lord?
Why is Thine heart still yearning,
Since the great world rejects Thy word,
Thy love and mercy spurning?
For men go on in sin each day
In carnal-minded blindness
And O how few Thy call obey,
And heed Thy lovingkindness!
In us no beauty Thou couldst see,
And no intrinsic merit;
We all were poor – but misery
And sin we did inherit.
We wandered each a different path,
And in our lost condition,
By nature children of His wrath,
Whom sin doomed to perdition.
O gracious God, Thy loving heart
Was full of sweet compassion;
And felt our woe and desperate smart,
And planned our restoration;
Thy grace and justice found a way
To save us from death’s horror;
And everlasting judgment stay,
And give us joy for sorrow.
Kingo: Thy love, O gracious God and Lord L 441:4.5.7 ELH 449:4.5.7 tr. G. A. T. Rygh;
tune: Durch Adams Fall