Acts 2:14a, 22-32 (NRSV)
Read Acts 2:14a, 22-32 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 22"You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know- Verse 23this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. Verse 24But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. Verse 25For David says concerning him, 'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; Verse 26therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope. Verse 27For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience corruption. Verse 28You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.' Verse 29"Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Verse 30Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Verse 31Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, 'He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.' Verse 32This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.
Devotion
Think about someone who has made you “full of gladness” with their presence? A newborn baby? A special friend? A talented musician? As a young married couple, my wife and I failed to understand how the older couple in a nearby restaurant booth could eat their entire meal without uttering a word to each other. That is, until we became more than a newlywed couple. Words were not always necessary to convey the gladness of each other’s presence.
Peter’s speech introduces a new era, a new dawn in the continuing story of “God’s unfolding promise to mend the entire universe.” (Rev. Dan Erlander, “Manna and Mercy”). God desires to be with us whether or not we acknowledge Immanuel.
Daily, we are given opportunities to testify of being “full of gladness” in God’s presence. At the same time, we rejoice that God is “full of gladness” for us. That is certainly good news!
Prayer
Gracious God, let our gladness have no end in the unending promise of your love and forgiveness. Amen.
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