This is part of a weekly e-vo series through the New Testament book of Acts. Today is from Acts 3.
The man who was crippled since birth…it’s said that he was a fixture at the Beautiful Gate. How many times did Jesus pass that gate? How many times had this guy seen or heard about Jesus and still was crippled? How many times had Peter and the gang passed him as he was asking for money?
What in the world came over Peter that would make him say something so ridiculous to this man? “What I do have I give you – In the name of Jesus get up and walk.” If I were John I would have been completely wigging out. “Peter…what in the name of everything good and holy are you doing? Hey…remember the crow and walking on water and how those things didn’t work out so well???” But then the dude gets up and walks.
Here we really begin to see the transformation of Peter. In the Gospels Peter’s bold faith had an arrogant edge to it. “I’ll walk on water.” “I’ll never forsake you, Jesus.” He was the first to say to Jesus – “You are the Christ” as well as the first to tell Jesus he was flat wrong about the plans of God…in the same sentence.
We see none of that here. It’s all about Jesus. Peter bluntly tells the lame man – I’m poor as well but what I have I’ll give to you and that’s Jesus. That’s all I’ve got thats worth anything.
When the crowds come around and want a piece of the miracle worker, Peter redirects them again to Jesus. He almost seems put off by the attention and focus.
“Why does this surprise you? The lineage of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob can be found in Jesus who did exactly this kind of miracle. That Jesus – yeah, the one that Pilate told you was innocent but you killed him anyway? Do you remember yelling ‘crucify him’ 40 days ago? Then you saw Jesus raised from the dead. That’s what this is all about – Jesus. It’s not about Abraham or Isaac or Moses or the Temple or the prophets or anything else. It’s about Jesus. He’s the fulfillment of the promise given to Abraham in Genesis 12. He’s it. It’s Jesus. So turn around from where you are going and start following him.”
Peter echoes what the Spirit did in Acts 2…he points to Jesus. It’s here that forever changes what Christianity will be about. For the Jews it was about the Torah and the Temple. Here at the birth of Christianity it will forever be about the person of Jesus.
Every other religion is based on laws or locations or cultures. Not Christianity. None of that stuff matters. It’s about Jesus.
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6 Comments
If only we (ok, I)would realize that nothing I have is worth anything and the only real thing of value in my life worth giving is Jesus.
TFTR (Thanks for the reminder)
Hey Grant:
I thought of this passage the other day when I was looking at Jesus sending out the 12, and then again the 70, early in the training of the disciples. I wonder what role this “practice” had on Peter and John’s boldness and confidence in this situation.
We tend to think all the transformation took place in Acts 2. I wonder if the process started a year or two before that.
MikeS: Do you think showing love and compassion is worth giving? Maybe that is how we give Jesus. Maybe it is the only way we can really give Jesus. I agree with your statement but I guess I want to nuance it because for many years I made the mistake of just wanting to give him away by talking about him with others.
Wish we could have this conversation sitting on my back deck.
Mark
MarkE – I’m guessing alot. I think your right – lots of process before Acts 2…then the Spirit acted as a catalyst in Acts 2 and beyond.
A pattern of spiritual disciplines and transformation? We practice, practice, and practice then the Spirit uses something as a catalyst?
Good thoughts…would love the porch conversation!
MarkE – Thanks for the nuance, I agree whole heartedly. We talked for way too long. For me, to give Jesus away is more than telling others about Him – it’s showing people what Jesus looks like. I like to think we need to BE Jesus with skin on. In my book that’s got to include His mercy & compassion.
Thanks again.
Mike S. – we are tracking!
Grant:
Or perhaps the Spirit uses the practice itself to show us about ourselves, Himself, and what he is up to.
For too long, I had the attitude that there was nothing I could do, so I didn’t. I took the approach that we often sang about: “My strength will come as we wait upon the Lord…” Maybe that approach is incomplete. Maybe that theology actually impedes the advance of the kingdom.
Maybe it is about willful obediance rather than waiting to be compelled. Maybe there is no help until we we step out and do something, however feeble.
I miss you so much, Mark. The freedom to think out loud and try stuff before we’ve got it all figured out.