Psalm 27 • Isaiah 26:7-15 • Acts 2:37-42
So many people had gathered in Jerusalem for the Festival of Pentecost when the early followers of the Way heard Peter’s sermon. There were folks there from all over the Roman empire who had traveled to Jerusalem for the festival. You can imagine Peter preaching to that crowd with the fiery passion of an old-time religion preacher! Repent, or “turn around!” Be baptized! Be forgiven! Be saved! Receive the Holy Spirit! What a life-giving faith message! In this Advent season, we are invited to turn around and turn away from false promises for quick fixes and turn towards a different way of being.
A few years ago, I proclaimed a similar message in Cuzco, Peru in Spanish. I declared the good news that a loving God welcomes and receives baptized sinners from every nation. During communion a boy of about ten came up to me and as with the authority of Peter demanded to receive a blessing. I made the sign of the cross on his forehead and reminded him that he was a baptized child of God. That boy left the church knowing that he was loved by God and that Jesus was his Savior. How like that little boy are we? We turn from anything that hinders our walk with God and receive the blessing that in Christ all is forgiven. Remember that you are baptized and be set free to receive Him with joy!
Forgiving Savior, help me to turn away from all that hinders my walk with you that I may know the blessing of your joy. Amen.
The Rev. Javier Alanis, PhD, JPExecutive Director/Associate Professor of Theology
Lutheran Seminary Program in the SouthwestAdjunct Faculty – Senior Instructor
Seminary of the Southwest
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