January 10, 2023 -- Acts 3:11-16 -- The Acts of the Apostles: Witnesses for Jesus

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
Acts 3:11-16 ESV

The lame man who’d been lame and was now healed, in bewildered joy, clung to Peter and John. He needed to understand what had happened to him. The healing served the purpose of opening his heart to hearing the testimony about Jesus. The healing of this lame man also served the purpose of gathering a crowd who wanted to know what had just happened.

Interestingly, Peter showed how the Patriarchs of Israel all pointed to Jesus. He was direct in telling the people of their sins. This is so critical for believers today who want to share their faith with others. Many stumble on some variation of this question: why are good men who never hear about Jesus rejected by God? The most basic answer: there are no good men. True good for any man or woman or child is to know Jesus Christ. To deny Him or live what others might call a good life, though you do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as He is portraited in Scripture, means you are guilty of His blood. This explains why evangelism is so urgent and necessary, how will they hear, unless believers go and proclaim Jesus Christ?

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the extravagant gift of Your love, Jesus Christ. He Whom You sent to be the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the World. Jesus, sent to reveal Your radiance, is our righteousness and cleansing. Thank You, Father in heaven, for the wonderful gift of Your Spirit, by Whom we are able to know Jesus and teach others the joy of our salvation. Move us to be mighty witnesses to Jesus and His quickly hastening return in glory. Amen.

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