What Now?
It's that sinking feeling you have when you finally realize you're lost.
Really lost. What now? That’s how the crowd felt when the apostle Peter convinced them that they had passed by Jesus and were journeying through life without a fixed destination, much less a way to get there. “What now?” they asked Peter. On cue he said, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call."
That’s how we feel when we choose our own way instead of God’s way, and then realize what a mess we’ve made, what mistakes we’ve committed, how miserably we’ve sinned. What now?
"Repent" Peter responds. Not a demand for us to do something worthy, just a reminder for us to realize what unworthy things we've done. "Be baptized.” Not a call for us to do something for God, but a promise that God does something for us. Through the water of life he gives us new birth into his family of believers. He claims us as his children of faith and names us as sharers in Christ's victory.
"Every one of you" means even the worst of sinners, even the backslider and betrayer, even the ones who pounded the nails into Jesus and pelted him with spit, even you and me, even little infants.
"In the name of Jesus Christ," promises us a middleman who makes the connection between us and the holy, just God - much like making a good connection with your new boss by mentioning you graduated from the same college.
"For the forgiveness of your sins," and "you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" assures us that the Holy Spirit works through repentance and baptism to save us from the sins that could condemn us; they are forgiven forever by the act and choice of God.
"The promise is for you and your children and all who are far off," gives us even greater assurance that to get right with God doesn't depend on our performance, but on God's promise.
Our “what nows” have been answered ever since Jesus died and rose.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus I often wonder what I can do to restore our relationship that I frequently wreck. But I can do nothing. You do everything. Answer my doubts and fears with your mighty promises, that I may never question your love, your direction, and your hidden plans for my future. Amen.