Reading for today: Acts 3:11-26
I can't help but notice Peter's boldness as he has another opportunity to speak to an onlooking crowd. The healing of the crippled man has attracted attention. It is another manifestation of the Holy Spirit's power, and the people are amazed. They knew this guy. They knew he had never walked, so this healing was a big deal!
Peter does not mince words. Nor does he waste words. In this short passage he lays out a whole bunch of truth for these onlookers. First, he says they were guilty of killing Jesus. They disowned Jesus. Secondly, he says that God raised Jesus from the dead, and the disciples were witnesses of this fact.
Thirdly, he says that the name of Jesus is responsible for this man's healing. It was not the work of any man. Fourthly, he says that these people (the crowd gathered that day) acted out of ignorance in killing Jesus.
Fifthly, he says that God used their ignorant actions to fulfill what was foretold many years ago by the prophets that Jesus would suffer.
Now, if you are keeping tab, Peter has called them killers, disowners, and ignorant. Not exactly flattering words! But he doesn't just call them names. He invites them to repent, and turn to God, so that their sins can be wiped out.
What you can't help admiring about Peter is that he doesn't say things that will tickle the ears of those listening. He lays out the truth, ugly as it may be. He tells them what they need to hear. And he also gives them opportunity for change.
It reminds me of the New Testament directive that we "speak the truth in love." Truth and love should always be a team. It was effective for Peter, as we will see tomorrow, and it can also be effective for us.
Tomorrow: Not everyone appreciates the "truth in love"
Monday, May 26, 2008
Acts - Week 2 / Monday
Reading for today: Acts 3:1-10
Have you ever been on your way to accomplish some task and then run into an interruption? Peter and John had just such an experience. They were on their way to the 3:00 pm prayer meeting in the Temple. They would have made it, too, if they hadn’t encountered this guy begging by the side of the walkway.
He thinks that Peter and John may have some coins on them, so he asks for some help. Peter informs the guy that they don’t have any money, but what they do have, they will give to him. At that point, the guy had no idea what they were going to give him.
Boy, was he surprised when Peter said, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” And then he reached down and took the guy by the hand and lifted him to his feet. Now remember, this guy was crippled from birth. He had never walked! But all of a sudden his feet and ankles are strengthened and he jumps to his feet and begins jumping and praising God. Wouldn’t you have done the same?
The part of this story that really gets me is this: what if Peter and John had been too intent on getting where they wanted to go that day, and had blown this man off, instead of stopping? What if they had disobeyed the prompting of the Holy Spirit?
I can’t help wondering what exciting happenings I might have missed because I didn’t want to get off task at the moment? Have I missed some promptings from the Holy Spirit because I didn’t want to be interrupted from what seemed so important?
My prayer is, “Lord, help me to be aware of the voice of your Holy Spirit. May I never be too busy to obey the Spirit’s nudging in my life.”
Tomorrow: Truth-telling or ear-tickling?
Have you ever been on your way to accomplish some task and then run into an interruption? Peter and John had just such an experience. They were on their way to the 3:00 pm prayer meeting in the Temple. They would have made it, too, if they hadn’t encountered this guy begging by the side of the walkway.
He thinks that Peter and John may have some coins on them, so he asks for some help. Peter informs the guy that they don’t have any money, but what they do have, they will give to him. At that point, the guy had no idea what they were going to give him.
Boy, was he surprised when Peter said, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” And then he reached down and took the guy by the hand and lifted him to his feet. Now remember, this guy was crippled from birth. He had never walked! But all of a sudden his feet and ankles are strengthened and he jumps to his feet and begins jumping and praising God. Wouldn’t you have done the same?
The part of this story that really gets me is this: what if Peter and John had been too intent on getting where they wanted to go that day, and had blown this man off, instead of stopping? What if they had disobeyed the prompting of the Holy Spirit?
I can’t help wondering what exciting happenings I might have missed because I didn’t want to get off task at the moment? Have I missed some promptings from the Holy Spirit because I didn’t want to be interrupted from what seemed so important?
My prayer is, “Lord, help me to be aware of the voice of your Holy Spirit. May I never be too busy to obey the Spirit’s nudging in my life.”
Tomorrow: Truth-telling or ear-tickling?
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