I have to feel sorry for the people listening to Peter’s sermon on Pentecost. He’s just told them that they’ve made the worst mistake ever: they failed to recognize their Messiah when God sent Him, and instead, they crucified Him! No wonder they asked, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Of course, they want to do something! They want to make it better somehow. They want to retrieve their mistake—justify themselves—make it up to God in some way, if that’s even possible. And of course, it’s not. There’s no way on earth anyone can make up for that kind of sin—or for any sin, come to think of it.
And that’s why Peter’s answer comes as such good news. Because what Peter says boils down to, “God Himself has already dealt with your sin. Jesus our Messiah has suffered and died and risen from the dead, all so that we could be forgiven and made clean. So now, you don’t have to do anything, just come and take God’s gifts of forgiveness and God’s own Holy Spirit. Come and be baptized, you and your children. God has done it all!”
Today, God says the same thing to us. “Come to Me,” He says. “Take My gifts. I want you in My kingdom, as My child. I will forgive you and wash you and make you clean. Just come! And bring the people you love with you.”
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, thank You for giving me Your wonderful gifts! Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Why do you think some people feel like they have to earn God’s forgiveness?
2. If you think that way, is it ever possible to know that you’ve done enough?
3. Was there a time in your life when it suddenly hit home that God really, truly wanted to forgive and save you completely for free? If so, how did you feel?