Acts 4
There is a cynical saying that no good
deed goes unpunished. Acts 4 would certainly be an example of
that!
The previous chapter records that Peter
and John were going to the temple and in the name and by the power of Jesus
they healed a crippled man, who at the age of forty would have been well
recognized by those going to the temple.
The priests and temple guard responded by arresting them and treating
them to a night in the deluxe accommodations of the local jail. The next day they also got to stand before
the same court that condemned Jesus and sought His execution. (I don’t know about you, but I’d have been awfully
nervous!)
Peter testified with great power before
these leaders, and Luke records, “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.” It was clear
that Peter and John’s confidence was rooted in who Jesus is, and not in
themselves.
There are times that we wish that we
could have been there with Jesus, to hear Him speak, and to see the
miracles. The great promise of God is
that He is with us through the Word and Sacraments. We can truly and rightly say that we have
been with Jesus.
Can the world see that in us? If not, why?
Could it be from neglect of God’s Word?
Absence from worship? Focusing on
behavior rather than faith? Misaligned
life and doctrine?
One of the great hallmarks of the
Christian faith is that Jesus calls us to repentance; the practice of
confessing our sins, turning from them, and living in His forgiveness. When you spend time with Jesus you will know
that you’ve done nothing to earn God’s grace, but He has poured out His mercy
and grace on you freely from His love. So
we confess because we know we are forgiven.
The amazing side effect of this confession and being with Jesus is a new
confidence to face the world – not in your strength, but in His.
Lord Jesus, make me bold in Your
salvation. I know my sin, and I praise
You for Your forgiveness. Help me to
stand secure in You. Amen.
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