I am a Jesus pusher!!! The outside God has just entered into one hundred and twenty people. It is called Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). Peter is moved upon by the Spirit to offer explanation to over three thousand Jews. The opening statement of his explanation is Jesus of Nazareth, a Man (Acts 2:22). His closing statement is God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). Everything between these two statements continues to be about Jesus. Pentecost can only be understood in light of Jesus. He is the lens through which we must see everything God is doing. Each time we step outside of Jesus, we divide and destroy ourselves. When one highlights miracles, wonders, and signs (Acts 2:22) apart from Jesus, it produces sensationalism and racketeering. When death (Acts 2:23) is seen outside of Jesus, there is nothing left expect hopelessness. Life after death must be viewed through Jesus (Acts 2:24). If not it becomes ghostly and shadowy. The gifts of the Spirit apart from Jesus produce spiritual stars and performers. Jesus must be the determining factor of all things.
How can I adequately tell you how central Jesus is to everything? How can I convince you to embrace Christ as the center in every issue of your life? How can I cause you to visualize “Jesus is the answer” as more than religious jargon? There is absolutely nothing outside His person. He is my theology. He is my ruler by which I measure everything. He is my source which causes my life. I am a Jesus pusher!!!