Cut to the heart

Acts 2:37-42

What word of instruction do I hear?
What is it that cut the crowd to the heart? I had to look back to earlier verses to see. It was the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon a crowd of people who had gathered together in one place. People from every nation were filled with the Spirit and began to speak in other languages about the power of God. Now, some people in the city heard the talk and wondered what it all meant. Others made fun and said, "Oh, they're just drunk."

So Peter stood up and explained. "God sent Jesus to save you from the evil powers of the world, and you handed him over to be killed. But God raised Jesus from the dead. Death does not have the power to hold Jesus prisoner. We are witnesses. We know it's true. We saw Jesus after God raised him from the dead. You can know this for sure: God made Jesus both Lord and Messiah. And everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

What Peter said was true. He told the truth about what the crowd had done. And he told the truth about what God had done. And the truth cut people to the heart.

For what would I like to give thanks?
For friends and family and pastors and teachers who care enough to tell me the truth. Lovingly. With the hope of redemption and transformation.

How have I missed the mark?
When, I wonder, was the last time that the word of God cut me to the heart...? How open am I to the truth?

How is God present in this text?
Through the Holy Spirit, which gives ordinary people the wisdom and ability and courage to speak the truth. God is also presented here as the Lord who calls us to him. God wants us to come near. God wants us to be saved.

Thank you, O Lord, for reaching out to rescue me. Not just once, but all the time. Reaching out, calling me to come closer. Thank you for making room for me. And for paving the way for me. Thank you for not giving up on me.