Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah. Acts 2:36 (NIV)
Peter spoke these words on the day of Pentecost right at the end of his impromptu sermon on the city streets. The Holy spirit had just encountered the disciples who had been waiting in the ‘upper room’ since Jesus ascension for him to show them what to do next…
What crazy days… Jesus, the Messiah who was prophesied about and waited upon, of whom much was expected both politically and spiritually… Who turned out to be what none had expected – a peacemaker, a forgiver, a healer and saviour. He was crucified, He arose, but shortly after He ascended into heaven blowing the minds and expectations of many.
What would your thoughts have been?
Many were looking for the Lord, a new King to free them from the oppression of an invading nation, one that would rule with an army and authority that had no rival.
Others were longing for spiritual freedom, a place to find peace and healing – although for many that hope seemed far-fetched as they had circumstances believed to be outside the realms of salvation.
When the Holy Spirit arrived, he brought with him a deeper revelation of the complete work of the cross and Peter, filled with this knowledge and empowerment, proclaimed this good news in the streets for all to hear. He told everyone – Jew and Gentile, Greek and Israeli, that they could be sure that Christ did not come just as our Lord, or Messiah – but he came to fulfil BOTH needs.
He is Lord – He rules and reigns… over the darkness that creeps and fear that tries to overcome; He rules with righteousness, love & justice. He came and fulfilled the law by providing the atonement it demanded for our sins.
He is our Messiah – our saviour and redeemer, who desires relationship and closeness. He knows our innermost thoughts and hears every word our hearts and mouths utter.
He is Lord and saviour, the law fulfilled and hope released. He is there for whatever is going on around us in the physical and within us on a heart level. He transcends time, space, physicality and spirit to meet our every need and relate to us on every level. Whatever you need today, He is able.