David Bahn – Reflections

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Acts 2:22-36

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— ²³ this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. ²⁴ God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. ²⁵ For David says concerning him,

“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
²⁶ therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
²⁷ For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
²⁸ You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

²⁹ “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. ³⁰ Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, ³¹ he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. ³² This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. ³³ Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. ³⁴ For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
³⁵ until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

³⁶ Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

The rich need it. The poor have it. When you eat it, you starve. It’s more powerful than God. What is it? Have you heard this riddle? The answer is “NOTHING.” I was reminded of this riddle – especially the “more powerful than God” part when I read Peter’s words, “it was not possible for [Jesus] to be held by [death]. Some things are impossible. But all those things lie within the limits of man’s powers, the devil’s control, and death’s grip. God has the final word. 

That’s not such good news for the devil, death, or enemies of God. Those who wish to carve out their own fiefdoms will succeed only a little while at the ruse and delusions of grandeur. There are plenty of people in the world who believe they have things well in hand. They don’t admit that they need help from anyone. They are the ones who claim, “I did it my way.” They are those who assert, “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”

How stunningly surprised they will be when the fullness of Jesus’ salvation is consummated! They who demanded honor, their own way, their every whim catered to, and their every wish granted, will suddenly be brought up short. They will not have their way unabated. They will no longer have even a corner to claim.

This is great news for the oppressed, for the justice-loving, and those who would be held sway by the ruler of this world and his minions. We will not forever be held captive to those who would abuse us, take advantage of us, or by sheer intimidation dissuade us from doing the good we know we should and which we truly wish to do.

Evil will ultimately and always collapse under its own weight. It cannot sustain itself. Death could not hold Jesus captive. He rose. He lives. He is reigning even now in the hearts of the faithful. And he who conquered death will grant to his own that same victory. We will be forever safe, joyful, and alive. It is impossible that it should be otherwise. It is not possible for God’s good, gracious, and merciful ways to be thwarted.