Piercing of the heart

SUMMARY

Peter has just told them that they had crucified the very King for whom they had been waiting for, a tragedy beyond all tragedies. They had missed the opportunity, and now that King had risen from the dead and ascended to be seated on His throne at the Father's right hand, and He was going to make His enemies His footstool. Even when Pilate declared Him innocent, they had asked for His death and brought the curse on themselves and their children. What on earth were they to do now!

PIERCING of the heart, a great gift of God: This piercing is an assault on the heart by Someone external to themselves. It also connects with Zech 12:10ff, which foretells that "When they look on Me on whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for Me." When the Roman soldier pierced Him, blood and water poured out as a literal fountain, to cleanse them of sin (through sacrifice) and uncleanness (through water). The reason people do not accept the truth is because they are stubborn and rebellious, but God still saves by thrusting people's hearts with the sword of God. This is why they ask: Brothers what must we do? They are not asking what they can do to resolve things. Rather, they are saying: What on earth are we to do now. Peter gives them an answer, a promise for them and their children after them.

PROMISE to those whose hearts are pierced: Peter said: Repent and be baptised for the forgiveness of sins. This has turned them, in a moment, from guilty sinners condemned to die to adopted children guaranteed an inheritance. It is true for us as well, and we must not just be pierced at what has happened, but doubly pierced when we hear the promise. The promise gets better still, that it is not just for them but for their children too. This was important especially for the first audience who had cried out to Pilate saying, "His blood be upon our heads and on our children."