Pentecost - What's Next?

 

Pentecost

What's Next?

These last couple of weeks we have been focusing on Pentecost (which was June 8) and we ready to move forward. I have contemplated as to what I should cover going into he weeks ahead and feel we shall stay with the Book of Acts. I have covered this amazing book several times. After some consideration and prayer, we are going to move through the Book of Acts. What will be a challenge for me is to give the book a fresh look. I hope not to repeat any material I have used before and at the same time I know there will be things I have to say at certain points. I'm looking forward to the way this all works out. I hope you are as well.

As we launch forward, we find ourselves in Acts 3.

One day...

Ok, so we really have no idea how long it was after the day of Pentecost this next moment happens. It doesn't say the next day. It doesn't give any time reference. It could have been a week later. Just, one day. It sounds like the start of a joke, doesn't it? One day, two guys were walking into church... For the rest of the world it is a joke. They don't get it. They laugh or snear. They wrinkle up their foreheads and frown because it's either not funny to them or they simply do not understand. For those of us inside the circle, walking with the Savior; we get the joke. We understand the punchline. Jesus died. Jesus has risen. Jesus will come again. We look at the rest of the world and wonder why they do not get it. But, they will have their chance as we will see from Peter's next speech will reveal. 

One day...

How many unexpected things do we run into during the course of a day? 
We would like to  think that we are the ones in control of the direction of hours and moments are spent. However, turn your life over to the Almighty and find out for yourselves how little say you have. We are encouraged by the Psalmist to turn our dreams and cares over to him and He will makes our paths straight. What would happen if we ran into something like this on the way to church some Sunday morning? All we wanted to do was make our way to the building, find our comfortable seat and get our hour of responsibility fulfilled for the day. What happens is someone accosting us for help or funds or assistance. In the strict biblical sense of this pssage, we see that the man in question isn't really forcing anything from the apostles that are entering the temple this day. He has an issue that keeps him from walking or even standing properly. He is simply crying out. For many of us, that is an impertinence in itself. How dare they bother us on our way? The moment might be taking these two, John and Peter, back to a teaching about a certain Samaritan. The inconvenience of helping someone in an uncomfortable moment. Who is watching? What will people say? Those two quesions are enough to drive even the noblest of Christian leaders to walk away. Peter has only one focus. Help the man. And, he has the answer this lame from birth person needs. 

"...in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."

Peter claims no celebrity for himself. As we will see through Acts, these men will learn what it measn to kick the buck towards Jesus. Each and ever time. It is not about them. It is not about some power they think they have. It is about the Lord and Savior who sent the Holy Spirit down on them. It is about his death and resurrection. It is about the life that He gives to all who believe. 

But, the chapter doesn't end here.

While the man held on to Peter and John...

How many of us if we did do something to help someone in need would immediately run from the scene? It sound noble. It sound akin to the idea of kicking the buck toward Jesus. These two apostles stand with the man followng his recovery. Some people will not understand what happened to him. John and Peter will help make it clear. Not every healing relieves the minds of those in the immediate circle. There is skepticism. There is relunctance. People like this once lame man need friends he can lean on. ...the man held on to... Will we be that person that others can hold on to and find their footing? Will we be there for others to depend in their time of need? 

It is a foundational moment for Peter also.
I have to think he s looking back to this early  instance for the church and himself as he pens the words for his own letters. "Always be ready to give and account of the hope that lies within you. (1Peter 3.5) The moment is so random. Or, is it? Is it Divinely inspired? The man has ben sitting by the entrance to that gate for years. It just so happened that John and Peter were entering that day? If he has been sitting there all these years, how many times had they seen this man in the years they were walking with Jesus? Had be been there all this time? If the scripture is to be believed, then we have to consider it. Has Peter seen this man sitting there and thinks, "Enough. This guy is walking today." Had John and Peter been praying for an opportunity to share the Gospel? And as they enter the Gate called "Beautiful" this day, an equally beautiful opportunity is what they find. "Oh yea. God, you are awesome. Perfect, Lord." How many of us would jump on it? How many of us would hesitate? Maybe, we look around and consider the crowds and the tension. How many of us would walk away or walk on by? Wish him well or drop a few dollars? Peter is serious about what this man really needs. He has sat here long enough. It's time to walk. Peter believes God can do it. The man wants God to do it. And, it is done. 

Peter gives another point on message about Jesus and what he has done for us. His death. His risen life. Who was responsible for it. And, how they can avoid the coming judgment. How many of us would be willing or even able to express what we believe and, more importantly, why we believe it? What we will see as we venture into Acts is group of people who are now driven to fulfill what their Lord has called them to do. Spread. Share. Go. It is a truly Holy experience. It is not about these men. It is about Jesus. 

Kick the buck toward Him and let him lead you into all you do.