June 14. Acts 3:1-9; Acts 4:1-15
GRACE LESSONS: I love how Peter saw that crippled man and felt compassion for him. As grace had been extended to him, he now reached out and through the power of Jesus’ Name healed this cripple and made his body whole. What a story!
OUR PASSAGE: Peter’s sure got a new life. He’s now a city dweller fishing for men with boldness and single-minded purpose. A far cry from the Sea of Galilee and fishing boats! He and John apparently went regularly to the Temple and preached there, sharing the good news, “fishing” for those who were ready to hear the good news. He was filled with the Spirit, clearly, as the numbers swelled to 5,000 in this passage. Peter is now the earthly leader of a LOT of people. Wow. What a huge responsibility.
My verse: Acts 4:10 “Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead.”
My response: It’s all here. The pointing to Christ, not himself. (Lord, help me to always point to You, the source of every breath I take!) The lifting high the name of Jesus. (Help me to lift Your Name high!) The declaration that You rose from the dead. (May I never get tired of telling that truth to others!) In one sentence, Peter declares the heart of the gospel message. A magnificent and rich sentence indeed.
