Remember that You are the Sons of God's Covenant
Scripture Passage: Acts 3:19-26 (NASB)
19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things, about which God spoke by the mouths of His holy prophets from ancient times. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your countrymen; to Him you shall listen regarding everything He says to you. 23 And it shall be that every soul that does not listen to that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ 24 And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken from Samuel and his successors onward, have also announced these days. 25 It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God ordained with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 26 God raised up His Servant for you first, and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”
SUMMARY
Peter passionately speaks about Jesus who will usher in times of refreshing and true restoration. He points out words spoken by Moses, “The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren.” (Acts 3:22) Jesus was the very prophet sent from God as a fulfillment of God’s promise Moses and many other prophets had declared since ancient times. Peter reminds the Jews that they are sons of prophets and of the covenant given to Abraham. As promised, Jesus came in the lineage of King David to the Jews first and to all mankind to be the true mediator and savior to the world.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
The call to repent and return to God’s way is so clearly laid out. If they change their hearts and turn away from their wicked ways but follow God’s way, only then, they can experience times of refreshing. Peter paints a picture of God’s grace and pure living water coming down from heaven above to wash away the filth and horrific stain of sin of this world. You can hear the desperate plea of Peter to his fellow “brethren” to understand that they are the sons of covenant that was spoken about for ages. God’s blessing and times of blessing can be theirs to claim only if they see the truth and receive forgiveness found in Jesus.
On the other hand, destruction awaits for those who reject Jesus. What a stark contrast that is portrayed here—“times of refreshing” vs. “utter destruction.” Jesus walked among them and performed many miracles in Israel and yet so many failed to see the “light” sent from heaven above. In His grace, God reached out to mankind and made a way to bring restoration and healing to this dark and broken world. This invitation goes out not only to the Jews but to those everyone willing to heed the call.
The coming of promised Messiah should be celebrated not only during Christmas season, but continue to be the theme of our joyful praise all year long. As we await Jesus’ second coming, we as his church should have a clear understanding of our identity in Christ; We are the children of God with a full access to the throne room of God. We are the ambassadors and bearers of the good news. We are the light that shines in the darkness. We are more than conquerors. We received the calling, anointing, and favor of God. We have the mind of Christ and received the spiritual inheritance with the seal of the Holy Spirit. We are a broken earthly vessel with a treasure of God’s light inside of us. This is who we are and so much more.
APPLICATION
Personally, as I spent time reflecting back to last several months and try to look ahead to this new year 2021, I need to remind myself of this truth. Just as Jesus seemed familiar to the Jews as “son of Joseph” and so they failed to recognize him as God in flesh, I can become dull to the message of the gospel. For those of us that grew up in the church and with countless online sermons and videos readily available at the tip of our fingers, the message of the cross may seem all too familiar. We can actually forget that it is the central theme of the Bible that should fill our hearts with joy and make us excited to share with the non-believers. May we experience the season of this renewed joy and refreshing from heaven above so that we go into new year singing praises louder than ever before, with glad tidings.
I also really hope to refocus my heart to seeing Christ. With so much unrest and uncertainties in 2020, my heart still seems to be unsettled and easily distracted, overburdened and even fearful at times. It’s my prayer that I will recommit with a resolute, purposeful heart. I need to refocus on Jesus and seeing the beauty of his majesty- fall in love with Him all over again. Back to First Love. So help me God.
PRAYER
I want to share this song that I’ve rediscovered recently. It’s a prayer song that I used to sing during my high school years when I was madly in love with God. It’s called “First Love” by Petra. I lift this song up as my prayer today.
“Sometimes I feel I’m pulled in so many wrong directions. Sometimes I feel the world seducing my affections. It’s not that I don’t know the way. It’s just a heart that’s prone to stray. But with my weaknesses admitted. You will keep all that I’ve committed. So I commit my heart to you-my first love
First love, first love. My soul longs after you… I want my heart to stay so true. Because you first loved me, Jesus, You will always be my first love. A love that doesn’t change. A love without an end. A love that keeps forgiving A love that sacrifice and giving I delight myself in you. My first love.
If I ever lack endurance, I remember your assurance that your only banner over me is love. If my heart begins to waiver, woo me back, my loving savior. Woo me back til I return to my first love.”
In Jesus’ precious name I pray, Amen
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