With God nothing is impossible!
Exodus 19:3-6 And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
In their obedience they would be protected and directed by God. They would be elevated and favored above any other nation. The earth is God’s and His will will be done. In Jesus the evil of this world is defeated. He knows the beginning and the end. In their obedience they would be a kingdom of priests. In order to be a kingdom there would have to be a King. Israel will one day recognize her King, Jesus Christ, and mourn their treatment of Him at His first coming.
Zechariah 14:9
And the Lord shall be King
over all the earth.
In that day it shall be
“The Lord is one,”
And His name one.
Jesus, King of kings and Lord over all.
At the initial rejection of their King, the Israelites, were put aside for a specified time. This allowed the Gospel of Grace and the adoption of the Gentiles, all those who would in faith accept Him, to be ushered in.
Acts 2:5-6 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.
Every Jew from every nation who were there heard the word in their own language. This supernatural act of Holy Spirit enabled them to hear and understand the fulfillment of Pentecost.
Acts 3:12-16 So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. 14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. 16 And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
When Peter saw the people did not understand the miracle that had taken place he chastised them. Him who they had crucified, in the name of Jesus, these things were done. He who died was now alive and was King of the Jews now and forever. They were to repent of their disbelief in order to be saved.
Acts 3:19-21 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.
There will be a new Eden an earth full of the glory of God. Jesus will live and reign in His perfect Kingdom forever.
Acts 3:24-26 Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days. 25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”
The Covenant given to Abraham will be fulfilled. In Abraham’s obedience his descendants would be a blessing to all the families of the earth. The Jew first and then every person, who by faith, believes in Jesus will be saved. (John 3:16) Carla
Peter affirms what Jesus had told His disciples after His resurrection that the Old Testament Scriptures testify to Him (Luke 24:25–27, 44–47). Peter notes that the prophets spoke of the Messiah, Jesus, and the time He is currently living in—when the Holy Spirit would be poured out and the day of final judgment for all of humanity would be imminent (Joel 2:28–31).
Sons stresses the privileged position of Israel to receive the word of God and to inherit the benefits of God’s gracious covenant promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3, 15; 17:1–21). The Greek word used here, sperma, often translated “seed” or “offspring,” can refer to a singular descendant or to someone’s descendants as a collective whole. Peter’s language here recalls the promise to Abraham that in his offspring all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 22:18). His servant is a reference to the Suffering Servant prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 42:1–9; 49:1–12; 50:4–10; 52:13–53:12). Faithlife Study Bible
The word translated refreshing refers to restoration of strength and nourishment. Strength is restored when hope is restored. Peter challenged the people to repent and be converted, to change their thinking about Jesus as their Messiah and to serve Him. The NKJV Study Bible
Genesis 22:18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
Acts 2:39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Romans 9:4–5 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.
Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles
Now is the time. To be involved. To “get in the game”. To commit. To promise. To make a stand.
This I know: I believe that we all want to make a difference. Or make the world a better place where peace and mercy and compassion are alive and well.
What does that look like?
Do you remember Jesus’ parable about a lost sheep?
A shepherd had one hundred sheep. And one of them is lost. And the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine sheep, to go out and find the lost one. And when he finds the lost sheep, he brings him home.
And Jesus said, “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’” (Gospel of Luke)
Now is the time. In the parable, the shepherd doesn’t blame the lost one. Or give advice. Or admonish. Because to the shepherd, that sheep is not just a number, but a face, a name, and a story.
The shepherd knew that some stories are too heavy to carry alone. That every one of us at some time in our life will need the loving arms of justice, mercy, reconciliation and unmerited grace.
And here’s the deal: some days we are the one lost. And some days, we are the hands and feet of the shepherd.
Celebrant: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People: I will, with God's help. (The baptismal covenant in the Episcopal Church.)
The Talmud reminds us, "Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly now, love mercy now, walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it." Sabbath Moments
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