Our scripture this morning is Acts 13:26-33.
Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people. We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: ‘You are my son; today I have become your father.’
In this passage Paul is speaking to a mixed gathering of believers, some Jewish and some Gentile. However, his message is the same to both groups. He recounts the death and resurrection of Christ, and God’s promise of adoption to all who believe in Him.
This promise is eternal and unchanging. God made us all and He wants us all to be connected to Him as children, and to each other as brothers and sisters. He is so concerned about our souls that He was willing to come as a human in Jesus and die a mortal death to save us from our sins.
Our acceptance of Jesus as our Savior is the fulfillment of that promise. He calls us to share the Good News just as Paul and the others are in this scripture. May we be the disciples of today, sharing God’s love with everyone.
Heavenly Father, we are humbled by how much You love us, even in our fallen state. Bless us to be good stewards of all Your gifts, and go in Your name to all the world. Amen.