“God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.”
Acts 5:31 NIV
Exalted
In speaking of the schools in the Rear of Yonge and Escott Township in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Ontario in the 19th century, Thomas Vanston said, “It affords me great pleasure to say that the schools are getting into a more practical way of working. In those countries where the larger portion is not educated, idleness and poverty abound. The people of this country are well aware of this fact. It is the lever by which Canada is exalted among the nations.”
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One of the principles of the Kingdom of God is that our redemption begins with the recognition that our sinful nature is so pervasive that there is nothing we can do on our own to be set free from our sin and earn eternal life. Those who refuse to admit they are a sinner in need of a Saviour have no hope. Our redemption begins with the acknowledgement of our sin, which leads to repentance. In Acts 5, Peter and the other apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin – the religious leaders of the day. These men refused to recognize their need for a redeemer, and had forbidden the apostles from teaching in the name of Jesus. The apostles ignored that, and in Act 5:31 they tell the religious leaders this: “God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Saviour that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.” Jesus had come to call all of Israel, including these religious leaders, to repentance, so that their sins would be forgiven. Instead, these religious leaders hardened their hearts. Don’t be like them. The exalted Jesus still comes to call all of us to repentance – and to Himself. Come to Him.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley