Many things bring a crowd together. Sporting events, concerts, and tragedy are a few of the things that will gather a crowd. Another event that causes people to gather is a miracle. An unexplained phenomenon causes curiosity. I am a curious person, and I would have been one of those in Acts 3:11-26 where Peter and John had healed a lame man by the power of Jesus Christ.
When the man felt the strength come to his legs and feet, he followed Peter and John and clung to them. He was grateful and did not want them out of his sight. This miracle drew a great crowd. These people were not following Peter and John to worship God, they did not understand and wanted answers. Some followed hoping to see more.
Peter seized the opportunity to preach to them. He had a captive audience because of the miracle. When he saw their interest it was a perfect time to declare Jesus as the healer. He reminds them the Healer was the one they had crucified, the one they had the opportunity to let go when Pilate wanted to let Him go, but they would not. They had murdered the one who was all-powerful, the one who now sat with the Father in Heaven, and the one in whose name this man was healed.
Act 3:11-16 “And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”
Peter now begins to show tenderness in verse 17. They were guilty as accused, but he cuts them a little slack and brings them to an opportunity to repent. They had killed Jesus out of ignorance, but if they will repent, their sins will be blotted out and then they can enjoy the presence of the Lord.
Act 3:17-20 “And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God before had showed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:”
After Peter had reminded them of their guilt and how they could be forgiven he brings up the names of the ones they had revered as their leaders and their final authority in matters of their faith in God. He speaks of Moses, Samuel, and Abraham as being agents of God to point them to the Messiah. This Messiah was Jesus the one sent to forgive, to redeem, and to bless them if they would turn away from their sin.
Act 3:21-26 “Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; he shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.”
Peter took advantage of his opportunity to proclaim Jesus as the answer to their sins. When you have an audience what do you talk about? Do you look for opportunities to express your faith? It doesn’t have to be a large audience; it can be one person or a group you are getting together with. No matter how large or how small we should find a way to let it be known that we follow Jesus. In common conversations, we can find a way to mention Jesus if we will look. You never know how the Holy Spirit may be working in someone’s life and God wants to use you to help them find the truth. For instance, if someone comments on the beauty of your yard or flowers it is an opportunity to say, “We sure have a great God who created all of this.” If they come to your home and comment on your home, you can say something like, “We have been blessed by God He has certainly provided for us.” Look for ways to bring God into the conversation. This will do two things. It will let people know who you believe in and open the door for them to ask spiritual questions. We must remember that we are left here to glorify Him every day. There have been times I have passed up opportunities and regretted it later. God has forgiven me, but I can’t help but think about the person I had a chance to speak to about God. I wonder if they were saved, or if I was their opportunity to know Christ and I blew it
