18 April 2022 Easter Monday
This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear.
From Acts 2:14,22-33, NRSV
Although we will not celebrate Pentecost for several more weeks, we already hear from Peter in today’s reading about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Peter, inspired by the Spirit, explains how the Resurrection of Jesus is a fulfilment of events prophesied in the Scriptures. He also wants his audience to understand that the Resurrection and the gifting of the Holy Spirit are linked. The resurrected Jesus, now at God’s right hand as “Lord”, has the authority to send the gift he promised. Peter understood that this gift of the Holy Spirit would enable the continuation of Jesus’ ministry through his followers. Anyone who needed evidence of this had only to look to Peter. This man who had so recently been afraid to admit to being one of Jesus’ disciples, now had the courage to speak boldly to a large and possibly hostile audience.
- How do you suppose Peter felt as he stood to speak to the crowd in Jerusalem?
- What is your experience of speaking out as a follower of Christ?
Think about the opportunities that you may have to share the gospel with those who have not heard or may even be hostile to its message.
