Acts 3

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. 


Acts 3

Transformed and Empowered (Acts 3:1 - 5:16)

10:50 PM


Many of us resign ourselves to not expect much from God. We settle ourselves into a routine based on the limitations of the circumstances that are familiar to us. We don’t look for God to bring something new, or uplifting, or miraculous. 
“And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.” (3:2)
This lame man had obviously resigned himself to his fate and was totally dependent on others. He may have been placed at the Beautiful Gate but he was most likely a man who felt on the fringes of society, in fact the ugly part of society. He had expectations- that people would give him alms out of pity. He did not, however, expect that life could offer more. He probably didn’t think he would ever be able to have true inclusion and acceptance. Perhaps he wasn’t used to being “truly seen” as a valuable person and perhaps that is why Peter said “ Look at us” (3:4)
That is the Christian experience. We are “seen” as valuable because of who we are called to be in Christ. It was in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth that Peter and John healed this man. “And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.” (3:8) 
This man had settled for handouts but God wanted to give him so much more. How wonderful that he used what God blessed him with to glorify God. He was grateful to enter the temple where he had not been able to go before and to celebrate with praise. How do we react to the blessings that we receive? Do we use those blessings to praise and glorify God?  Do we appreciate that we are truly seen, no matter how limited we may be in our circumstances, and valued for who God wants to transform us to be in Christ?
Speaking of transformation, the once fear laden, cowering disciples are now walking boldly in the midst of crowds and proclaiming the risen Jesus as the Son of God. Through their testimony, 5,000 believed that day. When arrested by the religious leaders, Peter was empowered to speak boldly by the power of the Holy Spirit. “let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”” (4:10-12)

Although the religious leaders didn’t like what Peter proclaimed, they were, however greatly affected by the change they recognized in these former companions of Jesus. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”(4:13). God wants us to have expectations beyond our limitations.
God wants to transform us and empower us so that we can glorify Him and boldly proclaim Him to a world that desperately needs His saving grace.  Not all may receive this grace, and in fact, they may choose to reject and persecute the proclaimer. The apostles prayed for boldness in the face of opposition and we should do that too. God wants to equip us to trust Him even when we face such challenges and He wants to bless us and astonish us beyond our expectations. 

“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”

1 Chronicles 16:8-11