In this passage, Peter is addressing the crowd in Jerusalem after the Crucifixion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. He is enlightening those listening about the true identity of Jesus, implicating them in his death, and encouraging them to "repent and be baptized." He says, "Let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified" (Acts 2:36 NRSV). He goes on to say, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38 NRSV).

The text goes on to say that Peter used many other arguments to convince them but leaves to our imagination what those arguments were. They must have been very convincing because the narrator tells us that about three thousand were baptized that very day. This shows the power of the message of the gospels. Most people today never open a Bible. Even Church members fail to spend regular time reading scripture and getting to know this man that is named Jesus in the Bible.

We forget the promise that we will inherit the "kingdom of God" if we are reconciled with God through Christ. Peter says, "The promise is for you and for your children..." (Acts 2:39 NRSV). We need to remember the promises made at our baptism, both those made to and for us. We were promised that we would be a part of God's kingdom, but we promised to live a life after the example of Christ.

A Walk With Christ (Luke 24:13-35)

This is the story that we hear called the "Walk to Emmaus." There were two of Christ's disciples walking to the village of Emmaus from Jerusalem. On the way, they were joined by another traveler who they do not realize is Christ himself. The narrator says, "... Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him"(Luke 24:15-16 NRSV). It makes you wonder how people who spent so much time with Jesus—eating, traveling, and listening to him—could not recognize him when he was now walking right next to them.

What does the narrator mean when he or she says that their eyes were prevented from recognizing him? When are our eyes kept from recognizing something? Have you ever walked right by someone you knew on a crowed street and not see them until they yelled out to you? Your eyes were open, and you could see, but you did not expect to see that particular person where you did, so you did not "see" them. Could you follow that? Today "magicians" make large sums of money convincing people that they see something that they do not or that they do not see somethmg that they do.

The two disciples thought Jesus was dead. Their minds were full of worry, and their hearts full of sorrow, and that was clouding their vision. They did not expect to see him out walking around. He seemed to be just another traveler out asking silly questions to which he should have already known the answer. It was not until they offered him the hospitality of their home and he offered them the hospitality of blessing and breaking the bread (sound familiar?) that they recognized him. They saw Christ acting like Christ and remembered who he was.

Hospitality is a common theme in the Bible. We are to show our love of others by offering them hospitality because that is what Christ did. When we do, we not only see Christ in them, but they will see Christ in us.