Cut to the Heart
When Luke wrote about Peter’s very first sermon, given on Pentecost in Acts 2, he uses a word to describe the response of the crowd that’s used nowhere else in the Bible. Just this one time. It’s the word translated in English as “cut (to the heart)”. A word that carries a graphic sense of being stabbed through, deeply and mortally struck. I feel like that warrants our attention.
Peter—who not six weeks before was warming himself by a fire in the high priest’s courtyard, swearing up and down that he didn’t know the man—just stands up and preaches.
The crowd? These aren’t pagans who’ve never heard of the God of Israel. These aren’t strangers to the temple, or to the scriptures, or to religious life. Luke tells us that these are devout Jews from every nation under heaven. They knew the promises. They had the law. They worshipped at the feasts. They were, by every outward measure, people you’d call “good".
In the power of the Holy Spirit Peter walks them expertly through the scriptures. He makes the case from David. He declares, plainly and without apology, that this Jesus whom they handed over to be crucified—“God raised him from the dead. And God has made him both Lord and Christ.”
Remarkably, when they heard these straightforward words they were “cut to the heart”. Three thousand men and women repented, were baptized, and were added to the church that very day. Wow.
I’m enthused about exploring Peter’s sermon with you Sunday.
Steve+
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Discovery Luncheon— Sunday, May 3, after worship. If you’re new(ish) to Redeemer or would like to know more about the process of membership, join us! RSVP to Steve Wishart.
Baptisms—Sunday, May 17. If you would like to be baptized—or have a child you’d like to receive this Sacrament—please let Steve Wishart know.
ADLW Missions Conference & Synod—May 28–30, McLean, VA
5th Sunday Potluck/Membership Sunday—Sunday, May 31
Bishop Julian Episcopal Visitation—Sunday, June 7
Weekly:
Around the Table—A prayer time for women, Thursdays, 9:00am at the Wishart’s.
Youth Formation (ages 10–13)—Sundays at 9:00am in the Rectory apartment (the side of the Rectory nearest the Sanctuary).
Morning Prayer—Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:00–8:30am on Zoom (redeemerannapolis.org/midweek).
Men’s Bible Study—Thursdays, 7:00am @ 1309.
Photo: Octavian Crucian on Unsplash
