#DailyDevotion God Has Made Jesus Both Lord & Christ
Act 2:29-36 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. (30) Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, (31) he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. (32) This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. (33) Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. (34) For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, (35) until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ (36) Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Peter here begins explaining Psalm sixteen. David, besides being king, was given the Spirit when he was anointed and was also made a prophet. In his office of prophet, through the psalms in particular, David saw his descendent and foretold what was going to happen to the Christ. Jesus tells us a number of times that everything written about him in the Law, the Psalms and the Prophets must come true. David predicted the Christ would suffer and be buried but would not see corruption. He would be raised on the third day.
Well Peter and the other eleven apostles were witnesses of Jesus of Nazareth being raised from the dead. Nothing should be believed without two or three witnesses. The resurrection of Jesus was witnessed by the twelve to Israel. Of course there were more than twelve. We know from Paul there at least five hundred witnesses. God had raised up Jesus from the dead and exalted him to his right hand. They were witnesses of Jesus’ ascension into heaven as well.
This is all in fulfillment of another Psalm, 110. Jesus himself quotes this Psalm about himself, Mar 12:35-37 “And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? (36) David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ (37) David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the great throng heard him gladly.” If David calls his son Lord then he must be great than David. The prophets answer us, Isa 11:10 “In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.” David’s son is David’s Lord because he is the source of David. Jesus tells us, Joh 8:58 “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” Jesus is the Lord of the Old Testament now come in the flesh. Now in the flesh according to the flesh, he who was Lord before all worlds, the Creator of all that is seen and unseen, Jesus by his ascension into heaven is declared Lord and Christ by God. Our human flesh has been glorified by Jesus’ ascension to the right hand of the Father.
To top off this sermon, Peter tells the crowd, God has done this for the one you crucified. God again, using sinful men to accomplish his purposes. Jesus is not wanting to punish these men who did this to him. No, at the right hand of God he sits as Joseph in Pharaoh’s court before his brothers. You meant it for evil but God meant it for good. He sits there ready to forgive you all your sins and to welcome you into God’s the Father’s home. You need not fear, Jesus is for you, on your side.
Heavenly Father, through the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus you have prepared so great a salvation, greater than the one you provided Israel through Joseph for all mankind. Ever give us this faith in Jesus that we may be welcomed into his kingdom where he has prepared a place for us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.