Acts 2:38 – “In the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.”
Returning to Acts 2 today, we read the whole story. Peter first asserts Jesus’ place as God’s creation. He then reminds the crowd that “they” crucified Jesus. The crowd becomes “deeply troubled.” When we see one another this way, I believe our misdeeds have the same effect on us. When I truly see all people as created in the image of God – my wife, my kids, my parents, my co-workers, the stranger on the street, the grumpy neighbor… – it greatly impacts how I treat and am tempted to mistreat them. Seeing all as truly created in the image of God holds me accountable when I “crucify” or speak harshly or… Seeing others as Jesus saw them makes me “deeply troubled” when I sin against someone and, therefore, against God.
The crowd asked Peter what to do. We did once too. We sensed we did something wrong or we damaged a relationship. In time we learned the next steps: confess, repent, live better. We learned to apologize and to commit to better and then to live it out in all of our relationships. Doing so we change hearts and lives – primarily our own. Living as Jesus lived, loving as he loved, we come to receive forgiveness in his name and to extend forgiveness in his name. This restores and reconciles our relationships. As we receive and extend the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, we build the kingdom of God here on earth. May it be so.
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your endless grace that brings forgiveness again and again – a thousand thousands over and over. And thank you teaching us grace too. Help us to practice the grace we receive. Guide us to practice it as you give it – unconditionally and endlessly bringing healing and wholeness to our lives and to our world. Amen.
pastorjohnb 