Acts 2:14a, 36-41 (NRSV)
Read Acts 2:14a, 36-41 on biblegateway.com
Verse 14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Verse 36Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified."
Verse 37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Verse 38Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Verse 39For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." Verse 40And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Verse 41So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.
Devotion
It was Finn’s bedtime. Mother asked, “Do you want me to tell you a story about a dog and a cat?” “No,” said the child. “Do you want me to tell you a story about an elephant that can fly?” “No.” “Do you want me to tell you a story about a boy named Finn?” “Yes, tell me a story about Finn!”
In the Jesus story, you and I are included. “For the promise is for you, for your children . . .”
And for your children’s children. Every person you meet today is included in the story. “Everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” That is why the story is still being told. It is not ancient history; it is present-day good news for everyone!
With our lives and with our words we continue “to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love” (ELW 661).
Like Finn’s mom, we have a very special story to tell.
Prayer
Lord, speak to us, that we may speak in living echoes of your tone; as you have sought, so let us seek your straying children, lost and lone. Amen. (ELW 676)