Telling the TRUTH

Acts 3:17-26 (ESV)

¹⁷ “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. ¹⁸ But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. ¹⁹ Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, ²⁰ that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. ²² Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. ²³ And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ ²⁴ And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. ²⁵ You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ ²⁶ God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

Only God could so quickly, in light of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, grant such wisdom, authority, and forgiving hearts to His disciples. Peter, here in these verses, is filled with compassion for the very same people who put to death his Lord. He understands the condition of their souls. He understands their ignorance. Peter knows what they have been taught by Moses and other prophets throughout the generations. Messiah came first for Peter's people. "Repent," he exhorts. "Turn and have your sins forgiven that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Peter knows the religious bondage that ensnares them. He knows the eagerness with which they have waited and trusted for a Savior. He knows how easily one can step away from the truth even when it's looking you straight in the face. Or should I say, "when He's looking you straight in the face?"
Who do you know who needs a Savior? Who do you know who has rejected Him in their ignorance? Perhaps Jesus just doesn't look like they expect Him to look. Have they been caught in religious bondage? Perhaps for generations their ancestors have fallen into the same trap. Is God calling you to relate to them right where they are and exhort them to "repent and turn?" Do you ache to see them experience the refreshing that only Christ can give? Is God calling you to your knees to intercede for them in prayer? What is your part in making the Truth of the gospel known to them? I pray we are quick to respond in obedience to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and those we go to are quick to hear and quick to receive.