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- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Acts 1
Though I can’t say exactly what it means, I know the number 40, especially when dealing with a time period, is significant throughout the Bible. As it turns out, Jesus both started and ended His ministry on earth with a 40 day period. We tend to notice His 40 days in the wilderness at the start of His ministry, but I seldom ever see or hear anything about this forty day period between His resurrection and His ascension.
I’m sure one could delve into a huge study of all the 40-something time periods in the Bible. Not having that kind of time at the moment, I simply did a quick search for something. What I found was an audio podcast from The Bible Project with a brief mention of it. What they noted in that brief mention is that the number 40 generally signifies a period of expectant waiting. Perhaps you could add preparation to that description as well. Thus, Jesus’ first 40 days was a period of preparing for His earthly ministry. This final 40 days, then, would be a time of preparing His disciples for God’s promise of the Holy Spirit, marking the beginning of their ministries. I’m thinking there is likely even more of a message in those periods of 40, but even this little bit is interesting.
Acts 2
The Holy Spirit is the promise of God’s presence with us because of the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ. And, “the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (Acts. 2:39). This is the good news of the Gospel; the victory of God’s kingdom, both now and forever.
Acts 3
John the Baptist came preaching a message of repentance. He made it clear, however, that he was not the focal point for that repentance. Instead, he pointed to Jesus as the true power for repentance. Then came Jesus. He, too, preached a message of repentance. Rather than pointing to another, though, He said, “follow me”. After God glorified Jesus and sent out His Spirit to His followers, the apostles began preaching a message of repentance. Just as John the Baptist pointed forward to the One who came after him, Peter and the rest of the apostles pointed back to the One who came before them.
Everything points to Jesus, because He is the only one that matters. He is the only way, the only truth, the only life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. So repentance means only one thing – to turn from our own evil ways and follow Jesus.