Woven
I hope yesterday’s reading and post led you to a time of prayer between you and Jesus. The reality is that we can’t know or understand what Christians in Afghanistan are experiencing with the Taliban. But, the same Holy Spirit that lives in us also lives in them.
But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. John 16:7
In times like these, I’m so thankful for the Advocate. We can ask Him what or how to pray, and He will instruct us from within.
I’ve had so much fun scanning the book of Acts. Because I’ve been in church all of my life, there are many things about my faith that I’ve just taken for granted. My earliest memories include a Sunday school classroom or a worship center (except that it was for sure called a sanctuary then). As I’ve read the words of Acts this week, my heart has been so moved by these first Christians that were literally taught by Jesus and then cooperated to spread His message so that future generations would know. And, here we are.
I don’t know what the plan is for the 7 seasons of The Chosen series. I can’t imagine what that last season will include, and none of us are going to be happy to say, “goodbye,” to the character playing Jesus when it’s time. Honestly, though, I hope we get to see the group of disciples mourn and grieve Jesus’ death but then rise up to do what they were chosen to do. That’s what we are seeing in Acts, and it’s been very moving to me as I’ve studied.
Read Acts 3: 1-10.
We could have skipped over this very small section of scripture except that I wanted us to pause long enough to see Peter’s transformation in real life. Peter, who always had the answers and argument when Jesus was alive had changed a bit by Acts 3. Here, he knew that he had nothing to compare to the gifts He had in Jesus. Peter knew that the begger would be disappointed by his lack of earthly possessions. He also knew that His spiritual possession was worth so much more.
Because Peter had been transformed by this truth, others would be transformed too. That’s the nature of spreading the Gospel, girls. It’s one thing to go out and share the message with words, and we must do that. But, when the Gospel of Jesus Christ sears our hearts, our natural and negative tendencies will fade away. It will be noticeable. It will produce peace and joy rather than pride, fear, or anger.
Obviously, the healing Peter and John facilitated with the man at the gate called Beautiful created quite a commotion. The crowds began to gather. We’ve already learned with Jesus what happens when crowds gather. Jealous anger will follow. Throughout the rest of Acts 3, Peter preached a sermon explaining what was going on. He pointed back to some of Old Testament characters; Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and even Samuel. All of his talking led to an arrest.
Read Acts 4: 1-20.
Oh goodness. There’s just so much here. Where do I even begin?
1. Please note (again) that the first to be opposed to Peter and John were the religious; the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees. Sometimes, our personal encounters with Jesus lead us to do things that are confusing the religious elite that don’t really understand a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. These leaders threw Peter and John in jail, and about 5,000 believed their message anyway. It seems that Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, will cause the message to spread even when a powerful group of religious elect attempt to publicly demonize the message.
3. Every time Peter spoke, he spoke of Christ’s power. Defending his own name wasn’t important. Today, we should be very careful that the voices we listen to are voices that point to Christ in their teaching. Run hard and fast from a leader that uses his/her voice to prop up self. A disciple transformed by the Gospel of Christ wants to share the Gospel of Christ only.
4. I absolutely love verse 13. As the people observed Peter and his message, they were completely baffled as to how such an uneducated and untrained man could do what Peter had done. When we are living out our purpose and filled with the Holy Spirit of God, others will be amazed by our lives. (May it be so, Jesus.)
5. Peter and John were no longer interested in pleasing anyone other than God. And, they were no longer afraid of the outcomes (verse 19 and 20). Apparently, courage is a natural outcome of living for Christ and His message.
In all of my studies, I’ve learned that the New Testament can’t mean for us what it didn’t mean for the believers of the first century. In that same thought, though, it absolutely can mean for us what it meant for them. I’m praying that we will search this passage for God’s message to us through Peter’s life. If nothing else, they certainly build our faith.
What do you think? You’re living your own life right now. It looks different than Peter’s did in Acts 4 I’m sure. Mine sure does. But, we’re all carrying that imaginary baton that Peter (and the others) have passed to us.
Are we living it with boldness?
If we aren’t, what’s holding us back?
And when they had prayed the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31
Pour out Your Spirit, Jesus. We need courage and boldness. We need direction and purpose. All of it seems to be a natural gifting of Your Spirit. And so, we want it. Full us completely with You and cause us to live in such a way that others can’t figure out what is going on. Once again, I think we make it all too difficult. Our one and only requirement is to humble ourselves before You and ask for Your guidance through each and every day. You’re growing us up as we study Your Word, and I’m thankful.
