Key Verse: When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:37-38 CSB)
We all know the feeling. It happens the moment you’re caught red-handed doing something you shouldn’t be doing. Stealing a cookie from the cookie jar. Driving too fast. Sleeping in class. There is no way around it. You’re guilty.
A moment of conviction can actually turn out to be a good thing, depending on how you respond to it. This is ultimately what about three thousand people experienced on the day of Pentecost. The Apostle Peter had just finished addressing the crowd of people that had gathered that day. He had boldly told them about Jesus, showing them from the Old Testament, that His death, burial and resurrection was all part of God’s predetermined plan. The people listening realized that this man, Jesus of Nazareth, whom they had delivered up to be crucified, was actually “both Lord and Messiah” (v.36).
Coming face to face with the reality of what they had done, the crowd of people were cut or “pierced to the heart”. They knew they were culpable. Their guilt and responsibility were without question. So they turned to Peter and the rest of the apostles and asked them, “What should we do?” It was the right question to ask.
Peter’s answer was simple. “Repent.” To repent means that, when we are confronted with our guilt and sin, we change our thinking and ultimately change the direction of our lives. We don’t make excuses. We don’t try to minimize it or put the blame on someone else. Instead, we simply admit that what we have done is wrong and we choose a different path. We make a 180-degree change in direction and start doing things God’s way.
Are there attitudes or habits in your life that you know are not God’s will for you? Invite God in His kindness and mercy to pierce you to the heart and reveal to you where there needs to be a change. Choose today to turn to Him and experience His forgiveness and grace.
Prayer: “Test me, Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind” (Ps.26:2). Pierce me to the heart and show me the areas in my life where you want to see a change of direction. Thank you for your kindness in leading me to repentance. Help me now to follow you. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
