“Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days. 25 And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’[b] 26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” Acts 3.24-26
The Jews were in a long line of spiritual blessings. God made a covenant with them many years ago with Abraham and kept it to this day. As Peter speaks to the Jews he reminds them of these blessings. He refers to ”Samuel, and all the prophets who have spoken have foretold of these days,” He refers to them being ”heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with their forefathers.” And he refers to Abraham in which God said, ”through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.”
Peter is helping the people remember the blessings of the Lord. That when God sent Jesus, he was sent ”first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways,” v.26. God had not forgotten his chosen people. He remembered them all throughout history and their story is His story. And now, he sent them Jesus, who they killed, but who was raised to life again.
It’s important that we remember. I remember parents and grandparents who carried the faith. And if I knew the history, I would imagine their parents and grandparents also carried forth the gospel of Christ. My personal history with seventh generations of Methodist pastors suggests that at least there were 250 years of faithfulness. Not perfection, but faithful people seeking the Lord and bringing forth the mission to a world deep in need.
Presently, I help propel that mission and ministry of Jesus. I’ve devoted my life to it. I help develop new ministries to tell the same old story. New ministries to train pastors, new programs to reach students, new retreats to help men and women become all God has called them to be.
Peter’s reminder to the Jews affirms my own story and helps me realize the significance of Christ’s work in my heart, that his blessings are not just for me but for my family and for generations to come. Even when each new generation must discover Jesus for themselves, it is our job to present him and represent him well.
Will you help propel the ongoing mission of Christ? Will you remember the stories told and the stories yet to tell? Will you realize that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the same God in Jesus Christ? Let the whole world know. Tell the story anew this day.
“O Lord God, you are good. In my frailty you make all things new. I am a new creation, filled with your presence by the power of your Holy Spirit. My sins have been forgiven, I belong to you. Come now, Lord God and Messiah, guide my steps, remind me of your goodness, save me by your grace. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen