SCRIPTURE
"God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins." (Acts 5:21)
OBSERVATION
Peter was talking about Jesus before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish rulers). After bluntly pointing out that they had killed Jesus on a cross, Peter went on to say that God had raised him from the dead. It's almost as if God went over their heads, raising the Messiah from the dead and seating him at his own right hand, the place of power and prominence. All of this was in spite of the fact that they are the ones who put him to death. God did not hold the death of his son against them. What a great display of his mercy and grace.
In this verse, Jesus is going up (exalted as Prince and Savior) and people are to be going down (repenting). John the Baptist put it this way, "He [Jesus] must increase and I must decrease." As Jesus goes up in our lives, we set him apart as Lord and see him seated next to the throne of God, our response is one of humility, or lowering ourselves before him. He then gives us grace and forgiveness.
APPLICATION
When I see Jesus for who he really is, exalted at God's right hand, I also see myself for who I am. But the reason Jesus is exalted is not to leave me feeling helpless or worthless but to bring me to repentance. To change my mind about my own life and plans and follow God's plans and purposes for my life. God's wonderful gift is to provide the forgiveness of my sins. It begins when Jesus goes up and I live life in proper perspective of who he is and what he desires for me.
PRAYER
Lord, your desire to forgive sins is a great reminder of your grace and mercy.
