The Blessing of Repentance:(Acts 3)
12:30 PM
Today's Reading: Acts 3
In Acts 3, Peter and John encounter a man lame from birth at the
gate of the temple asking for alms. Peter can not meet this need because he
doesn’t have money to give. However, if he had given him money, the man would
have remained in his current condition. But, Peter offers him more, changing
his circumstances through the healing power of Christ. This man’s physical body
is healed but more importantly, his spiritual connection to Christ reveals a
heart of gratitude and worship in response. We may not be able to meet s
person’s human, physical needs but we can always introduce them to the One who
can change their spiritual circumstances and certainly provide all of their
needs according to His Will. "It is not the Church's business in this
world to simply make the present condition more bearable; the task of the
Church is to release here on earth the redemptive work of God in Christ."
(LaSor)
This miracle provides opportunity for Peter to deal with the
spiritual needs of a crowd of Jews gathered at the temple.
“When he saw the people affected with the miracle, and filed
with admiration, then he sowed the gospel seed in the ground which was thus
broken up, and prepared to receive it. When he saw the people ready to adore
him and John, he stepped in immediately, and diverted their respect from them,
that it might be directed to Christ only.” (Matthew Henry)
Peter boldly gets to the heart of every human need. We each have
to realize that our sin put the Messiah on the cross. These Jews rejected Jesus
as the Messiah and specifically demanded his blood be shed. “But you
denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to
you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead?
..”(14-15).
We may not have been among those who took part in demanding the
crucifixion of Christ, but our sin, passed down from Adam, demanded his blood
just the same. Without Christ paying the price of death, there could not be
reconciliation to God. We have to gain an understanding of the sinful state of
our heart, and our rebellious nature before we can gain an understanding of our
desperate need for Him in our life.
And then, when we understand our need, we simply
choose to repent and allow God to change us and direct our lives.
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be
blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,” (19-20)
Jesus was sent to the Jews first as a blessing. “God, having
raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one
of you from your wickedness."” (26) Thankfully this blessing was extended to each and every one of
us.
Repentance is meant to turn us from our wickedness which will
only destroy us. Turning from sin is meant to bless us and refresh us. My
prayer is that you will repent and find His blessing, His refreshment, His
restoration and His eternal love.
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