5/8/17
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
In Acts chapter 3, after Peter and John have been God’s instruments in the healing of a lame man outside the temple, the people are amazed. It’s no surprise. When God does a miracle we should take notice.
We observe that Peter, as usual, acting as the spokesperson for the apostles, speaks to the people. He makes several issues crystal clear. First, he identifies exactly who performed the healing. It is God - the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. This is no generic deity. This is the true God, known specially to Israel. Healing is from him alone.
Peter also makes it clear that it is God the Son, Jesus, the one who was killed do to the unrighteous ignorance of the people of Jerusalem, who was active here. He is drawing us to a trinitarian view of God, not merely some form of the God of Israel who we know works by his Spirit as well. These are separate persons of one God.
What else do we see here? We see that Peter calls the people to repentance and trust. They were not necessarily personally involved in specific hostility toward God when they stood by and allowed the crucifixion. God has done this miracle so they may see and believe. When we observe God’s work in others it is intended not only for them but also to encourage us in repentance and faith.
How do we respond then? As witnesses of the same mercies of God we also look to him in trust and hope. He who is able to give strength to the lame man is also able to bring healing and forgiveness which we need in our lives.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
In Acts chapter 3, after Peter and John have been God’s instruments in the healing of a lame man outside the temple, the people are amazed. It’s no surprise. When God does a miracle we should take notice.
We observe that Peter, as usual, acting as the spokesperson for the apostles, speaks to the people. He makes several issues crystal clear. First, he identifies exactly who performed the healing. It is God - the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. This is no generic deity. This is the true God, known specially to Israel. Healing is from him alone.
Peter also makes it clear that it is God the Son, Jesus, the one who was killed do to the unrighteous ignorance of the people of Jerusalem, who was active here. He is drawing us to a trinitarian view of God, not merely some form of the God of Israel who we know works by his Spirit as well. These are separate persons of one God.
What else do we see here? We see that Peter calls the people to repentance and trust. They were not necessarily personally involved in specific hostility toward God when they stood by and allowed the crucifixion. God has done this miracle so they may see and believe. When we observe God’s work in others it is intended not only for them but also to encourage us in repentance and faith.
How do we respond then? As witnesses of the same mercies of God we also look to him in trust and hope. He who is able to give strength to the lame man is also able to bring healing and forgiveness which we need in our lives.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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