Tuesday 28 June 2022

Psalm 119:65-80

Background

Peter has here just been used by God in the Early Church's first recorded healing after Jesus’ death and resurrection. No wonder that all the people watching are filled with wonder and astonishment. They see a man who could not walk from birth, and is now over 40 years old, being healed of his lameness. He begins walking and leaping and praising God! And a crowd soon gathers, astonished at what has happened.

Perhaps even Peter and John are filled with wonder. Yes, they had both been used in plenty of healing testimonies during Jesus’ ministry, when they were sent out to preach the kingdom message, heal the sick and cast out demons. But perhaps even they still harboured some fears that such things would no longer happen when they were on their own. This moment would have been an incredible confirmation to them too, that God was still using them, and wanting them to continue the ministry that Jesus had started.

And so this moment of wonder and astonishment became an incredible opportunity to share the message of Jesus with the growing crowd. It was in Jesus’ name that the man was healed, so Peter now naturally starts to share the good news of Jesus.

Where might your friends, family and work colleagues experience moments of wonder and astonishment, that you can use as an opportunity to talk about Jesus? It may not be your everyday experience to see miracles of healing like this one from Peter, but it doesn’t have to only be miracles that spark wonder. Perhaps your family might hear of work your church is doing with the homeless at a winter night shelter or food bank. Perhaps a colleague sees how you react with kindness rather than with anger when somebody snubs you at work. Perhaps a friend sees your faith and hope in the midst of a tragedy or a challenging circumstance that you are going through. All these could spark wonder and astonishment in people, and become opportunities to testify about Jesus.

To Ponder:

• What things have filled you with wonder and astonishment as you have followed Jesus?
• What do you think will fill your friends, family and colleagues with wonder and astonishment? What are the type of stories of God's activity that you long to share with them, that you think will help them turn more towards Jesus?
• What can you do to make those experiences more likely to happen?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, we know that you are constantly at work. Reveal to us more of how you are working, that we might be filled with wonder and astonishment. And reveal it to others, so they too may experience wonder and astonishment, and that we might be able to point them towards you as the reason for these things. Amen.