LENT SERIES: Stories of Repentance - Cut to the Heart

Oh, the dreadful sinking feeling that comes from realizing we have done the wrong thing and that serious repercussions are coming! Forget a spouse’s birthday, miss an important flight, pay a large sum to an online scammer, and you will know what I mean.

Acts 2:14-41

May we always remember the depth of forgiveness and grace we have received through Christ.

What if it were revealed to you that you had caused the death of an innocent person? What if that person also happened to be the Son of God?

At Pentecost, that was the situation for the crowd in Jerusalem who had just witnessed the coming of the Holy Spirit. At first they were confused. Then, as Peter explained God’s plan through Christ, they realized their guilt. Many in that crowd had been part of those who, just 50 days earlier, had shouted “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

They were “cut to the heart,” crying out, “What shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) Many people did repent that day—three thousand, in fact—and their lives were radically changed forever by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ultimately, all of us are responsible for the death of Christ, since it was our sin that led him to lovingly sacrifice himself for our atonement. Praise God for his extreme and outrageous grace, in giving us the opportunity to repent (change our mind) and the gift of the Holy Spirit to fill us with his presence and new life. May we listen when the Holy Spirit reveals that we are wrong. May we always remember the depth of forgiveness and grace we have received through Christ. May the Holy Spirit’s power enable us to share this precious experience with others.

Pastor Ben