Pricked in Their Hearts

 

       

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their hearts….” -Acts 2:37

          Have you ever thought very much about those people who were listening to Peter’s words?  I often wonder about those who gathered on that day of Pentecost so long ago.  I’ve tried to imagine this scene in my head many times.  Thousands of people were gathered there.  Jews from all over the world were still in Jerusalem.  They had come for the Passover and stayed until the day of Pentecost. 

          Think of all that had gone on to lead up to this day.  Jesus had spent about three years or so in His ministry on earth.  He was constantly teaching about God – His Father.  He healed the sick, stilled the storm and raised the dead.  People had witnessed “miracles and wonders and signs” (Acts 2:22).  Many of the people really believed in what He taught them.  They loved Him dearly and wanted to follow Him wherever He went.  Even so, I think they did not understand it was a spiritual kingdom he referred to and not an earthly one.  Even with Jesus Himself telling them that He was going to die – they just couldn’t get their heads wrapped round that idea.  The common people loved and praised Him.  The Jewish leaders did not believe in Him and they certainly did not love Him. 

It has always amazed me how so many people could sing His praises on Sunday during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and then turn around and shout “Crucify Him.  Crucify Him!”  by Friday night.  Some people had only loved Him because of what He could do for them.  Still others listened to Him with derision and never once made even an attempt to believe Him or follow Him.  Others had followed for a while, but had abandoned Him at some point along the way.  Yet, Jesus knew how it would be.  He knew it would be like this before He ever came to earth.  And then Roman soldiers hung Him on a wooden cross between two common thieves. 

So – the multitudes had praised Him on Sunday, called for His death by Friday, and now some 50 days later they hear Peter tell them that Jesus, the one they crucified, is the Christ -- has been resurrected and is now sitting on the right hand of God!  First of all, the boldness of the apostles in speaking to the some of the same people they knew had killed Jesus – these same people they had fled from before the crucifixion – possibly some of the ones that had heard Peter curse and say “I know not the man,” simply blows me away!   However, I am equally amazed by the fact that these people who had seemed so hard and so cruel a few works earlier are totally convicted by the preaching of Peter and the rest of apostles.  As the fulfillment of the prophecies are clearly made known to them, and the preaching sinks in, the realization of what they have done finally hits them – and they are pricked in their hearts.  They are literally heartbroken!  How great is our God and how mighty and powerful is His Word!! 

Christ has risen!  God sent Him to earth to die for our sins.  Then through His resurrection, our Lord and Savior conquered death and the power of satan. Christ lives, but He is not here.  God has exalted him to the highest position of authority and power.  Christ was innocent.  He was always who He said He was.  He is the Son of God.  His kingdom is a spiritual one – not an eternal one. Jesus had done nothing wrong that was worthy of death. 

Scripture tells us that godly sorrow leads to repentance.  These people are so touched by the Word that they ask Peter what to do.  He tells them – “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”  (Acts 2:38)  Peter does not leave them hopeless and helpless.  He does not tell them they are doomed and there is nothing they can do.  He understands God’s amazing love and mercy – and he tells them what to do.  Peter gives them hope.  They can have their sins washed away!  They can be forgiven for everything!  Please note this is not an automatic thing … they are not forgiven simply because their hearts have been broken by the story of the gospel.  They are neither helpless nor hopeless – but there is something they must do.  And about 3000 of them do make this choice.  I have always been curious about how many more people were there that did not choose to act.  No doubt there were some; probably many.

What about us?  We know our sins caused the death of Christ, too.  His blood flows forward and backward.  God knew that we would sin – all men come short of the glory of God.  The death of Christ is not only for all those who lived on earth before Him.  Nor is it only for those who were alive at the time He lived.  His precious blood was shed for all our sins.  He also died for everyone who would ever live on earth – that means you and me. 

         We must examine ourselves and understand that our sin separates us from God.  We must study the Word of God and learn what He would have us to do.  In the words of Jerry Jenkins – “To get to heaven we must become a Christian like the Bible says.  We must worship like the Bible says and we must live like the Bible says.”  And the Bible tells us we must “study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  (II Tim. 2:15)

       I am so thankful that when I am pricked in my heart like those 3000 people so long ago I am not left helpless or hopeless.  God is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He has provided a way for me to be forgiven.  It is up to me to claim that forgiveness through obedience to His word. 

Christ above all things,

Robin