Messiah: The Change-Agent
As Peter concludes his Spirit-empowered sermon on the day of Pentecost, he says this:
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:36, NIV).
Peter points out that Jesus, the One who was crucified and rose again, was both Lord —that is the One who rules and reigns—and Messiah— that is the Anointed One sent from God. So, Peter leads up to the climax of his message by exclaiming that Jesus is the Messiah that the Jews had been waiting so long to know.
The account in Acts goes on to record the people’s response:
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).
Upon learning that Jesus is that long awaited Messiah, the One sent from God, the people were “cut to the heart.” That truth hit them hard and deep so that they were compelled to respond by asking what they should do. When we see Jesus for who He truly is, we are drawn to ask the life-changing questions in life. Do you just play around with the day-to-day, no big deal questions or have you wrestled with the BIG questions of life?
Many questions we seek answers for have no lasting impact…What’s for dinner? What am I going to wear? Who will win the game? Other questions mandate answers that will affect all of eternity…What am I going to do with Jesus? Or, as the people hearing Peter’s sermon asked: “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Peter replies:
“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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:38-39).
The call to follow Jesus is a call to let the Spirit of God change you. “Repent” means to change direction or travel a different way. Repentance is shown by a life that is no longer pursuing sin but instead is pursuing Jesus.
The call to follow Jesus is a call to receive forgiveness of your sins. Wouldn’t you love to have your mistakes washed away?
Wouldn’t it be awesome to have a brand new start? Wouldn’t it lift a huge burden to know that God no longer holds your sins against you? Admit that you were wrong, ask for Jesus to wash you clean, turn from that way of life, and you receive the forgiveness that is offered. “Forgiven” is such a liberating word.
When they realized the truth of who Jesus is, the hearers of Peter’s sermon repented, received forgiveness, and were baptized. The Messiah had changed their life. Have you let Him change yours?