figuring out the promise

Good evening friends,
I hope you're enjoying the beautiful evening one way or another. Today's reading continues Peter's explanation to the crowd what is happening. The Holy Spirit has filled the disciples and given them new languages to share the grace of God. Peter explains to them how Jesus fits into the promises God made to David. Jesus wasn't the Messiah people expected: he didn't act like a king, or militarily bring Israel out of Roman captivity. So Peter explains what God told David and how that fits with what he and others experienced in Jesus. The model we see in Peter and the early church of looking at the Bible to make sense of the world is still a good way of thinking today.

God bless,
Sam

Acts 2:25-36

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; 26therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope. 27For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience corruption. 28You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’


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. 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. 31Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, ‘He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.’


32This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. 33Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear. 34For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ 36Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.”