Today Daily Devotional

Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd. . . .
— Acts 2:14

Can God do anything good with me?We might ask this question when we feel as if we are beyond God’s help. We see our flaws and mistakes, and we wonder how God could even want to use us for his purposes.In our text today we see Peter preaching to the crowds that are gathered in Jerusalem for the annual harvest celebration. This is the same Peter who, about 50 days earlier, had lied three times about Jesus, saying that he didn’t know Jesus at all (Mark 14:66-72).But now Peter was restored, since the resurrected Jesus had met with him at the Sea of Galilee (John 21:15-19). And in today’s text we read that Peter and the other apostles were now filled with the Holy Spirit.Peter became a new creation, and in this new state of being “in Christ,” Peter’s life pointed to the remaking of all creation.The merely brash Peter became the wise preacher Peter. Earlier he had not understood the prophets’ message about the Messiah, but now he was clear and on point. At one time Peter’s passion simply blurted. But now in his passion he could convict and invite!God is in the business of healing people, pouring grace into them, and recommissioning them. This includes me and you. The Lord sees you, loves you, and has plans for you. Trust him.

Heavenly Father, continue your good work in us, remaking us for your glory and the blessing of the world. Help us to see what you are doing, and to serve you gladly, fully, and hopefully. Amen.

Then [Jesus] said to [Peter], “Follow me!”
— John 21:19

Peter had made some hurtful mistakes. And our text for today shows how Jesus gently addressed them.Before Jesus was arrested and crucified, Peter had promised never to disown or abandon Jesus. He had even said, “I will lay down my life for you” (John 13:37; see Mark 14:31). But then, soon after Jesus was arrested, Peter denied three times that he even knew Jesus (Mark 14:66-72; John 18:15- 27). He was afraid to be connected with Jesus.After his death and resurrection, Jesus met with his disciples, including Peter, several times—and in our text for today he is with the disciples at the Sea of Galilee. Three times Jesus approaches Peter, the three-time denier, with this question: “Do you love me?” And each time Peter says yes. Then Jesus tells him, each time, to care for his sheep.Just like that, Peter’s denials are graciously forgiven, and Peter is powerfully recommissioned. Jesus even repeats to Peter what he had said to his disciples when he had first called them three years earlier: “Follow me!” (see Mark 1:17). It’s as if Peter’s denials had never happened.Peter’s restoration shows us that if anyone is in Christ, there is not only a new creation but also a new commission: to follow Jesus into whatever work he calls us to in our context, in our lives.The old has gone. The new has come!

Lord Jesus, give us eyes to see what you are calling us into today, and guide us to obey. In your name, and in the hope of the new creation, Amen.

If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
— 2 Corinthians 5:17

Tomorrow is Sunday, and many Christians throughout the world will attend a worship service at their church. Others may meet in homes or other private places, especially if public worship is not allowed.In North America, where I live, we are blessed to have many churches where the Word of God is preached and the good news of Jesus is central. These church communities help believers focus on loving the Lord and loving their neighbors in their everyday living.If you are part of a church like that, you probably see friends and family members there each week, along with others who have been there to support you in tough times and to celebrate with you in happy times.You may see clusters of older folks, middle-age parents, and teens interacting with each other. And you’ll probably see children running off steam in the hallways. There may also be a family group celebrating a baptism or an anniversary.There will also be some people you might not agree with—say, over a ministry program or the kind of music used in worship —and you’ve learned that in God’s family you can get along, despite such differences.In all of this you will see a collection of new creations, people whose faith, sometimes strong and sometimes weak, marks them as “in Christ.” And in them you will see that God is building a new creation, the remaking of his broken world.

Lord, all who are in your family are new creations in Christ. May we worship you together faithfully and see you at work, continually re-creating your world. Amen.

If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
— 2 Corinthians 5:17

Chip had become an old man, and when he returned to the small town where he had grown up, hardly anyone recognized him.It wasn’t because he looked so different. No, he’d been back to visit throughout the years. He had kept up with people he’d known in high school, and they were familiar with each other’s aging appearance.What was different about Chip was that his character had changed. He had always been a “clever devil,” as some called him. He would come to town, hang out with the locals, wait for the right opportunity, and then say something political or religious or something else in a thorny way. Then he’d leave as people started bickering with one another. He seemed to enjoy stirring up disagreement.But now Chip was different. He’d learned that cancer was going to take his life soon. And he’d met Jesus through a local ministry in his neighborhood.So he came back to town a changed man. Though he was old, he was new. He was kind. Generous. Apologetic. He called himself a friend of Jesus. Everyone talked about it. What an amazing change!Chip was a new creation, even as his body was dying. He was “in Christ.”Chip was also an echo of Christ’s resurrection, the beginning of God’s big project of making a new creation where all who are “in Christ” can live with him forever!

God, we praise you for making us new in Christ and for making us a part of your new creation plan. Help us to live faithfully for you. Amen.

If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
— 2 Corinthians 5:17

When Jesus came back to life, the people who saw him required new eyes to see him clearly, truly.Mary saw only a gardener until Jesus spoke her name (John 20:16). The two disciples from Emmaus saw only a clueless traveler until Jesus broke bread with them (Luke 24:30-31).Later, Saul (Paul), a leading persecutor of Jesus’ followers, had his eyes opened too. He was stopped by a blinding light from heaven, and he heard the voice of Jesus saying, “Why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:3-6). Saul received eyes of faith so that he could see Jesus truly as the Lord and Savior.In our text for today Paul, who became a missionary for Jesus, declares that we can see other people differently now too. Because of Jesus, we can see that all who are “in Christ” are a new creation. The rebirth of every believer echoes the miracle of Christ’s resurrection.And there’s more. When we see an “in Christ” person, a new creation, it’s a sign that God is up to something bigger— a glorious remaking of his whole creation. This is what other texts have described as the coming of a new heaven and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1)!So when someone comes to faith in Christ, we see in that person a new creation. And this is a reminder of God’s continuing project of making a new creation, launched by the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection!

O God, give us eyes of faith to see your ongoing work of new creation as Paul did. May we see, rejoice, give you praise, and live in that confidence. Amen.