MAY 20, 2024

INTRODUCTION

Acts 2:14–28: The apostle Peter addresses the large crowd that had gathered, and he repeats the words of the prophet Joel regarding the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

TODAY’S KEY VERSE: ACTS 2:24

[Peter said:] “God raised [Jesus] from death, setting him free from its power, because it was impossible that death should hold him prisoner.”

READING

14 Then Peter stood up with the other eleven apostles and in a loud voice began to speak to the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, listen to me and let me tell you what this means. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose; it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 Instead, this is what the prophet Joel spoke about:

17 ‘This is what I will do in the last days, God says:
    I will pour out my Spirit on everyone.
Your sons and daughters will proclaim my message;
    your young men will see visions,
    and your old men will have dreams.
18 Yes, even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will proclaim my message.
19 I will perform miracles in the sky above
    and wonders on the earth below.
There will be blood, fire, and thick smoke;
20     the sun will be darkened,
    and the moon will turn red as blood,
    before the great and glorious Day of the Lord comes.
21 And then, whoever calls out to the Lord for help will be saved.’

22 “Listen to these words, fellow Israelites! Jesus of Nazareth was a man whose divine authority was clearly proven to you by all the miracles and wonders which God performed through him. You yourselves know this, for it happened here among you. 23 In accordance with his own plan God had already decided that Jesus would be handed over to you; and you killed him by letting sinful men crucify him. 24 But God raised him from death, setting him free from its power, because it was impossible that death should hold him prisoner. 25 For David said about him,

‘I saw the Lord before me at all times;
    he is near me, and I will not be troubled.
26 And so I am filled with gladness,
    and my words are full of joy.
And I, mortal though I am,
    will rest assured in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me in the world of the dead;
    you will not allow your faithful servant to rot in the grave.
28 You have shown me the paths that lead to life,
    and your presence will fill me with joy.’

REFLECT

Reread verses 16–21. You may wish to compare these verses with Joel 2:28–32. Where do you see the work of the Holy Spirit in the world today? In what ways can you share the good news of God’s salvation?

PRAY

Sovereign God, the outpouring of your Holy Spirit fills me with joy and wonder. Empower me with your Holy Spirit to proclaim your message of love and salvation to those I encounter this day. May your word go forth across cultures and in all the languages of the world so that people everywhere may learn of and experience your salvation. Amen.