Promise
Read Acts 2:36-41.
Promises. We hear a lot of them this time of year, especially with elections looming on the horizon (like a storm cloud). Politicians love to make promises—many will say and promise most anything, fully knowing they can't accomplish what they promise—just to get your vote. There are others who will promise you things to secure your friendship or loyalty. I once worked with a man who would knowingly make contradictory promises to various employees just because he couldn't bear the thought of someone not being loyal to him or liking him. (Of course, that eventually blew up in his face, but that's another story...)
We expect promises to be kept...but why do we expect that? Even when we've been the victim of a broken promise (and who among us has not been in such a place?), we still have this expectation built into us that promises made will be kept—or at least that they should be kept. I believe we have that expectation because we were created by a God who always keeps his promises, and who extends the benefits of his promises to everyone.
That's what Peter reminds us of on this Day of Pentecost. In great rhetorical style (that tells us always say last what you want your listeners to most remember), he proclaims Jesus as Savior and Lord, and when the people call out, asking what to do, he gives them a clear, concrete actions step: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins" (2:38). And then he reminds them that this promise, this hope of a savior, made long ago by a promise-keeping God, is a promise that is available to everyone. It's not just for a select few; it's for those there, for their children, and for people are who "far off" (and I think he means there both physically far off and spiritually far off). Everyone is welcome, invited, included in the promise. It's a promise that God will keep because that's who God is.
To those who want to be narrow in their understanding of the availability of God's promises, I want to suggest that Peter couldn't imagine a narrow promise from the God of the universe. Peter proclaimed from the first day of the church that all are welcome, all are wanted, all are invited into the promise. And for those who receive the promise, God will be proven faithful. All are welcomed. All can be forgiven. All can receive grace. That's the promise. Thanks be to God!
Promises. We hear a lot of them this time of year, especially with elections looming on the horizon (like a storm cloud). Politicians love to make promises—many will say and promise most anything, fully knowing they can't accomplish what they promise—just to get your vote. There are others who will promise you things to secure your friendship or loyalty. I once worked with a man who would knowingly make contradictory promises to various employees just because he couldn't bear the thought of someone not being loyal to him or liking him. (Of course, that eventually blew up in his face, but that's another story...)
We expect promises to be kept...but why do we expect that? Even when we've been the victim of a broken promise (and who among us has not been in such a place?), we still have this expectation built into us that promises made will be kept—or at least that they should be kept. I believe we have that expectation because we were created by a God who always keeps his promises, and who extends the benefits of his promises to everyone.
That's what Peter reminds us of on this Day of Pentecost. In great rhetorical style (that tells us always say last what you want your listeners to most remember), he proclaims Jesus as Savior and Lord, and when the people call out, asking what to do, he gives them a clear, concrete actions step: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins" (2:38). And then he reminds them that this promise, this hope of a savior, made long ago by a promise-keeping God, is a promise that is available to everyone. It's not just for a select few; it's for those there, for their children, and for people are who "far off" (and I think he means there both physically far off and spiritually far off). Everyone is welcome, invited, included in the promise. It's a promise that God will keep because that's who God is.
To those who want to be narrow in their understanding of the availability of God's promises, I want to suggest that Peter couldn't imagine a narrow promise from the God of the universe. Peter proclaimed from the first day of the church that all are welcome, all are wanted, all are invited into the promise. And for those who receive the promise, God will be proven faithful. All are welcomed. All can be forgiven. All can receive grace. That's the promise. Thanks be to God!
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