THEE WORD FOR THE WEEK

What do Jews Believe? Acts 2:22-24, 32-36; 4:10-12; Luke 22:20; Zechariah 12:10 September 17-21, 2012

Monday Read Acts 2:22-24

In this excerpt from Peters sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter addresses a predominately Jewish crowd regarding their role in the crucifixion of Jesus. In this text we find one of the ageold tensions of the Christian faith: Gods Sovereignty & Mans Responsibility. Who does Peter say planned Jesus crucifixion and delivered Him up to be crucified? Who does Peter say carried out the crucifixion thereby killing Jesus? How does Peter say God has attested the validity of Jesus identity before the Jewish people?

Tuesday Read Acts 2:29-36; Psalm 110:1-7

In this excerpt from Peters sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter is again addressing a predominately Jewish crowd regarding the identity of Jesus by appealing to Davids words in Psalm 110 and applying them to Jesus. What is the relationship between the first phrase in verse 33 and Peters quote from Psalm 110 in verse 34? How has Jesus resurrection and exaltation fulfilled Messianic pronouncements of Psalm 110? What connections between Psalm 110 & Acts 2 would you focus on in sharing the gospel with a person from a Jewish background?

Wednesday Read Acts 4:5-12; Psalm 118:19-24

In this text we find Peter and John before Jewish ruling council of their day giving a defense of their ministry. What strategy do Peter and John employ in defense of their ministry before the Jewish ruling council? The reference to the rejected cornerstone in verse 11 comes from Psalm 118:22. The preceding verse, Psalm 118:21, praises God for becoming my salvation and verse 22 tells us how God has become our salvation: through the rejected cornerstone. How do Peter and John use Psalm 118 to demonstrate Jesus identity to their Jewish counterparts?

Thursday Read Luke 22:14-20; Exodus 24:3-8; Jeremiah 31:27-34

In this text we find the Jesus sharing a meal with His disciples during which He inaugurates the new covenant. In Exodus 24 we find Moses affirming that even the old covenant God had established with His people was inaugurated with blood. In Jeremiah we find the prophecy of a new covenant that would come between God and His people. How does Jesus pull the Jeremiah & Exodus texts together in Luke 22? How might this be a means of witness to the identity of Jesus with people from a Jewish background?

Friday Read Zechariah 12

In this text we find the prediction of a coming salvation for the Jewish people. Zechariah says that the Jews will one day see God for who He is in all of His fullness. How is it that Zechariah says people from a Jewish background will look upon Jesus? How might this prophecy be pertinent to sharing the gospel with those who are of a Jewish faith?