Friday 05 April 2024

Psalm 66

Background

This passage from the book of Acts is out of sequence, as it is more normally situated at the time of Pentecost, the Jewish festival which comes 50 days after Easter. But to read it now in Easter week it is amazing to see how Peter is emboldened by the gift of the Holy Spirit that came at Pentecost. He speaks out now, not in his own strength, but in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 3:6)

He had an opportunity to speak to a crowd gathered in Solomon's Colonnade who had witnessed him healing a crippled man ( Acts 3:2-10). There is an atmosphere of worship and adoration. The healed man stayed silent alongside Peter (v. 11) not sure what to make of what has just happened to him. But he was living proof of God working a miracle of healing through Peter.

Peter addresses the crowd as 'You Israelites' (v. 12). He challenges their understanding of the power of God and takes it further, almost accusing, judging and condemning them as being guilty of crucifying Jesus. Listening to Peter, the finger is certainly pointed in the direction of those who identified with the historical names of their God – the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob ( v. 13).

Peter is clear in his evaluation of the circumstances surrounding the crucifixion but he highlights that God had a higher plan to glorify his servant Jesus and bring him back to life. With the gift of the Holy Spirit, Peter is no longer ashamed of his faith and boldly asserts his belief in the power of Jesus Christ. He is willing to risk the consequences of his boldness if he had to face the authorities who opposed him.

If you read further verses of Acts 3, you will see that Peter believed the crowd acted in ignorance and wants them to repent and then come to a knowledge of the risen Jesus Christ for themselves.

To Ponder:

• Have you or your church, had any experience of the healing ministry of Jesus Christ?
• Have we missed an opportunity to encourage another, or pray for another in the name of Jesus Christ, because we were frightened of the consequences?
• Name, shame and blame – surely not! What was Peter’s aim?
• Imagine what happened in the next scene of the life of the healed man? Why aren’t more people healed today?

Prayer

Holy Spirit, you are sent to empower us. You are within us waiting to work. Enable us to respond to you when a neighbour wants to talk, when someone asks for prayer and when someone asks us about our faith. Forgive us for the times when we fail to respond to you. Open our lives, helps us to care. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Frances Ballantyne

Frances Ballantyne was ordained within the Congregational Federation and transferred to the Methodist Connexion where she served in the South Holland and Mid-Cheshire Circuits and is currently in the Leicester Trinity Circuit. She has been a volunteer for Victim Support and is currently a member of the Methodist Survivors Advisory Group. She has contributed to BBC Radio Leicester's ‘Thought for the Day’ and written articles for 'The Accord Journal' (for Christian counsellors) and prayer poems for several publications. She is currently challenged by a diagnosis of medullary thyroid cancer.