Wednesday 15 April 2015

Psalm: Psalm 136:1-9

Background

Emboldened by the extraordinary events of Pentecost (Acts2:1-12), Peter stood alongside his eleven fellow disciples andaddressed the excitable crowd attracted by hearing this collectionof Galileans speaking in many different languages. He first of allrefuted the suggestion that these were drunken ramblings; far tooearly in the morning for that (Acts2:15). He then interpreted what was happening as a fulfilmentof God's promise spoken through the prophet Joel, to pour out God'sSpirit upon all flesh (Acts2:17, quoting Joel 2:28).

The main purpose of Peter's speech, however, was to take thisopportunity to connect these events to Jesus of Nazareth and tobear witness to his resurrection. He doesn't beat around the bush.He reminded the people of how God was clearly manifested amongstthem in this man Jesus - and fairly and squarely placed theresponsibility for his death in their hands. But, this wasn't theend! God had raised him up and freed him from death! In verses25-28 Peter quoted from Psalm16:8-11, attributing the words to David and suggesting thatDavid foresaw these extraordinary happenings. He also set out thecase for Jesus being greater than David - after all they knew whereDavid was buried and he hadn't ascended into heaven.

Peter was witnessing to what he had seen and heard: "This JesusGod raised up .... Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God... God has made him both Lord and Messiah" (vv. 32, 33, 36). Peterwas witnessing to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and itsimplications for all who were listening.

Peter and the other disciples were undergoing a remarkabletransformation. The Resurrection was the ultimate 'game-changer'and nothing would ever be the same again. All of what Jesus hadtaught and all that he had gone through now made sense. This ofitself was transformative but now the Holy Spirit had come uponthem to further empower and equip them in witnessing to "thisJesus"!

To Ponder

• In what ways is the Resurrection 'the ultimategame-changer'?

• What does it mean to be a witness to something and why are thewords of a witness so important?

• When have you experienced 'the penny dropping' and somethingbecoming clear and comprehensible? How has this beenempowering?