God Endorses

“People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus of Nazareth…” (Acts 2:22)

Celebrity endorsement is a big deal. I remember as a kid that Joe DiMaggio, long past his baseball prime but still an American sports hero, endorsed Mr. Coffee. Leading golfer Jordan Spieth endorses Under Armor clothing and AT&T. Political candidates seek the endorsement of well-known, well-liked people or groups, hoping that endorsement will result in votes.

Getting the name of a famous person behind a product is important for marketing and sales. The star puts his or her reputation on the line, signaling this product is worthy of your money. And we pay attention to it and sometimes make decisions to buy based the endorsement. Interestingly, a fallen hero’s status can change things, and they often lose their endorsement relationship. The company knows they have a worthy product, and they don’t want the public to confuse that excellent product with the poor reputation of the one endorsing.

In his sermon, Peter is not shy in announcing a very big deal: God endorsed Jesus of Nazareth. And it was not an endorsement in private, known only to a select few—the Scripture says it was a public endorsement. God the Father put his reputation on the line. He announced, by recapping a thorough and centuries-long process, that Yeshua, Jesus, was the long-awaited savior. God, the one feared and worshipped by the God-fearing Jews who were in Jerusalem to celebrate this special festival, was making himself known in a big way. God Almighty put his stamp of approval on this man Jesus.

God’s endorsement was not just for entertainment value, making a splash of wind, fire, and language. God was putting His reputation on the line that this Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Messiah!

How did he endorse him? The Scripture says, “By doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know.” The endorsement was done through undeniable actions of God’s presence, with God at work in the midst of the people. It goes something like this: “You listeners have perhaps heard of Jesus of Nazareth, and the amazing things that happened in his life. Those powerful signs which happened through Him were actually brought about by God to display for all to see that this man Jesus was indeed the Messiah!”

The preacher’s point of God’s endorsement of Jesus would lead in the sermon to a moment of decision: if he is indeed the Messiah—though crucified, but subsequently brought back to life!—then you have to decide if you will accept him as such. The offer is real and is available.

That decision to be made is obviously bigger than whether to buy a product endorsed by a celebrity or vote for a particular candidate based on the word of support from someone we know. This endorsement by God the Father truly has eternal consequences.

“Father, thank you for endorsing Jesus, validating his ministry by powerful signs and wonders!”