22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him:

“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
you will not let your holy one see decay.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ Acts 2:22-28

Peter threw some heavy accusations at his listeners. He accused them of crucifying Christ. But he softened the blow by telling the full story of His burial and resurrection. Were they actually there hammering the nails and thrusting the spear? No, probably not. He died for sinners, and every one listening to Peter was a sinner.

When I first became a Believer, I was trying to explain this concept to a co-worker. I remember saying, “You nailed Him to the cross.” Immediately he said, “Hey now, wait a minute. I may have done some very bad things in my life, but you can’t pin that one on me!”

The truth is, though, our sin sent Him to the cross. We are not innocent. But fortunately it didn’t end there because Peter finished the story.

It’s our story too. It’s the Gospel in a few sentences. Don’t underestimate the power of those few words spoken at just the right time in someone’s life.

When is that “right time?” Now is probably a good time.