June 11. Acts 1:12-26
GRACE LESSONS: Today, we start to walk with Peter in his life after Jesus’ ascension to Heaven in Acts. This rough guy is about to become the leader of a new and growing faith group. The Christians are about to start church and our Peter will be right there helping to build it, just as Jesus planned it when He met Simon and called him Peter, the “rock.” Hear this prediction from Jesus and watch as Peter lives out the command to fish for men in the week ahead:
“When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” Luke 5:8-11NIV
Oh the grace of God! From Peter’s initial declaration to “Go away from me, Lord: I am a sinful man!” to a leader of men and an evangelist for Christ!
OUR PASSAGE: I think it’s amazing that at the very beginning, even before Pentecost, there were 120 followers of Christ who stuck together, including Jesus’ own family. Even though they doubted Jesus at times during His life on earth, Mary, his mother and his brothers were there among the earliest believers. There were also many others who followed Him for the three years of active ministry. With so many, no wonder Jesus needed to choose twelve for special attention and focus! Peter leads the decision-making here, and they replace Judas with Matthias. What an honor it must have been from Matthias to become “one of the twelve” in this way. Wow.
My verse: Acts 1:14 “They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.”
My response: Father, I love how they weren’t just talking and pondering. They were told to “stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven” (Luke 24:49). But their hearts were Yours, Lord and so they constantly prayed as they waited. They turned to You.
