Observation: As Peter preaches under the power of the Holy Spirit, he describes the trial of Jesus this way ... that the Jews "used lawless people" to crucify him. This echos back to one of the core issues of Jesus' trial, which is what charges the Jews were even trying to pin on Jesus.
Their motivation was jealousy and fear for a loss of personal authority, but the one scriptural law they were leaning on was breaking the Sabbath. However, when they got to Pilot and he effectively said he didn't care about enforcing Jewish law, their charge became rebellion against Ceasar. This was a charge for which Pilot found Jesus innocent. Therefore, the Jewish leaders simply manipulated the circumstances, getting Jesus crucified as a substitute for Barabas, and nothing more.
In this way, Peter's words ring true and not even the high priest and the members of the Sanhedrin who took those actions would be able to publicly contest them ... the Jews "used" the Romans, and not only are the Romans "lawless" by the Jewish definition of the law, the crucifixion itself occurred without any law - Jewish or Roman - being violated by Jesus.
Application: I have often read this section of Acts and wondered exactly who Peter is addressing with this specific sentence. Is the High Priest there to hear him? Are members of the Sanhedrin there so that when he says "you" did this he is speaking to them directly? Or are just thousands and thousands of people there, and even though this is seven weeks removed from Passover they are willing to be lumped in en masse with the actions of that day?
Here is what I think the answer is. I think ... it doesn't matter, because the Holy Spirit is actively reminding and revealing to everyone the truth about the Messiah. The Messiah was to be an honest man, descended from David, killed without fault, yet somehow reigning as king of the world forever. Peter's words are opening their eyes to the fact that, indeed, this has happened, Jesus is Messiah, now living eternally and worthy of their faith. The "you" is just everyone who didn't already believe this truth, and now needs to repent, be baptized, and receive forgiveness by faith.
And this means very clearly that ... I am part of the 'you'. By my one-time rejection of Jesus as Messiah and my savior, I was part of the lawlessness that nailed him to a cross and killed him.
Fortunately, this also means that the promise of Jesus' redemption was for me, one of those "far off" (v39). I was in need of discovering Jesus as Messiah, declaring my faith in that fact, repenting of my sin, being baptized, and living then in faith and hope and joy. I am now part of a much better 'you' ... the redeemed 3,000 from that day.
Prayer: Jesus, you are my Lord. Please forgive me for my sins that I commit every day, and give me strength to better seek and serve you daily. I am no longer lawless, but desire to live under your law, which is your wisdom, your guidance, your precepts, and your ways. In your great name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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