You Hung the Wrong Man

​Scripture Focus: Acts 2:32-35 "This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear."

Cowboy Wisdom:
George Johnson lies buried in Tombstone, Arizona, at Boot Hill Cemetery. His marker reads: "Here lies George Johnson, hung by mistake, 1892. He was right. We was wrong. But we still hung him and now he's gone."

Jesus was hung on that cross for crimes He never committed. The innocent for the guilty. The righteous for the unrighteous. But here's the thing—three days later, that grave couldn't hold Him. He's alive and sitting at the right hand of God. And because He lives, we can face tomorrow.

Peter didn't sugarcoat it. He looked those people in the eye and said, "You crucified Him." Most of them probably weren't in the crowd that day screaming for His blood, but they were guilty all the same—guilty by their sin, their rebellion, their rejection of the Messiah.

Same goes for us. We might not have hammered the nails, but our sin put Him there. Yet the resurrection proves that Jesus didn't stay defeated. He conquered sin and death, and He offers that victory to us.

Questions for Reflection:

1. How does it make you feel to realize your sin put Jesus on the cross?
2. What does the resurrection of Jesus mean for your daily life right now?
3. Are you living like Jesus is merely a good teacher, or like He's the resurrected Lord seated at God's right hand?

Prayer Focus:
Jesus, I acknowledge that my sin nailed You to that cross. But I also rejoice that You didn't stay in that tomb. You're alive, You're victorious, and You're my Lord. Help me live today in the power of Your resurrection. Amen.