LISTENING TO INHERIT THE PROMISE

Acts 3:21-26

[Peter continues to speak] "He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.' Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days. 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.' When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."

Peter is preaching on the porch of the temple, referencing Genesis, Deuteronomy, and 1 Samuel. How is it possible that Peter can speak with such force, confidence and clarity? He was certainly empowered by the Spirit, but he also knew the Scriptures and had paid careful attention to what Jesus said and did. In these verses, Peter is providing his listeners with an Old Testament prophecy road map to Jesus, the Messiah.

What do you think Moses meant when he said, "You must listen to everything he tells you," and "Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people"? Jesus gives us the answer to these questions in John 15:5-6 when He says, "I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned."

Peter is telling his audience that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise, He is Abraham's "seed" or "offspring" through which "all people on earth will be blessed." Peter's message is simple: all scripture was fulfilled in Jesus -- so you better pay attention to what He said. That promise and instruction extends to you and me.

Are you guilty of listening to some things in Scripture, yet disagreeing with or ignoring other Scripture? What needs to change? Are you paying careful attention? How can you pay more careful attention?

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