June 6
Bible Reading: Acts 2:37-41
Acts 2:37-38, “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
It’s the news no one wants to hear, yet “you’ve got cancer” was the news Laura received in January 2017. The back pain she had been experiencing was because of cancer that had metastasized throughout her body and worked to damage her spine. It’d be impossible to fully explain the extent of the hardship and challenges associated by someone fighting cancer. But, on the other hand, it was good a thing to receive that diagnosis, for that bad news led to the four courses of cancer treatments that have worked to extend her life these many years. It is impossible to embrace the good news of a remedy without first coming to terms with the bad news of a problem.
There is no record of anyone being saved in the forty days following Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus had died for sins and then rose from the dead, but that wonderful news lay dormant as a seed planted. That all changed at Pentecost. The promised Holy Spirit fell upon the Apostles. By the Spirit, Peter was led and empowered to boldly proclaim the truth about Jesus. Jesus had previously spoken of how the Spirit would work to “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). It is likely that some of Peter’s listeners were amongst the crowd that had cried out for Jesus’ crucifixion. But it wasn’t until Peter indicted them with the crime of killing their Messiah (Acts 2:23,36), that they were “cut to the heart” and cried out “what shall we do” (Acts 2:37). Three thousand souls repented unto salvation, receiving God’s forgiveness, when Spirit-born truth met with Spirit-prepared hearts!
I’ve said it before, “We all have a desperate need for Jesus. The only question is the extent that we realize that?” Thank God for the convicting work of the Holy Spirit! We yearn for the salvation of those we love, but they must come to Jesus the same way we did. It is the Spirit who works to convict of sin and open blind eyes to the sole remedy to be found in Jesus. No one wants to hear the bad news, that we are all born sinners deserving of God’s judgment (Romans 3:23, 6:23). But on the other side of that bad news, the glorious, good news is that Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead, and anyone who places their trust in Him will be saved (Romans 5:8, 10:9)! So, as we remain ever mindful of how God worked to rescue us from our sinful plight, we pray for the Spirit’s convicting work in the hearts of others, including those we love.
No one seeks a remedy until they first know they’ve got a need. It is the Spirit that opens eyes to both to our need in sin and God’s remedy in Jesus.
JESUS, I COME
Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of my sickness into thy health,
Out of my want and into thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into thyself,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of thy cross,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of earth’s sorrows into thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into thy calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into thy blessed will to abide,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of my self to dwell in thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the joy and light of thy home,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of thy sheltering fold,
Ever thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to thee.
LookingtoJesus 