TUESDAY - JUNE 16

Read. Acts 3:11-26
11 While the healed man clung to Peter and John, all the people rushed toward them at Solomon’s Porch, completely amazed. 12 Seeing this, Peter addressed the people: “You Israelites, why are you amazed at this? Why are you staring at us as if we made him walk by our own power or piety? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of our ancestors—has glorified his servant Jesus. This is the one you handed over and denied in Pilate’s presence, even though he had already decided to release him. 14 You rejected the holy and righteous one, and asked that a murderer be released to you instead. 15 You killed the author of life, the very one whom God raised from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 His name itself has made this man strong. That is, because of faith in Jesus’ name, God has strengthened this man whom you see and know. The faith that comes through Jesus gave him complete health right before your eyes.

17 “Brothers and sisters, I know you acted in ignorance. So did your rulers. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he foretold through all the prophets: that his Christ would suffer. 19 Change your hearts and lives! Turn back to God so that your sins may be wiped away. 20 Then the Lord will provide a season of relief from the distress of this age and he will send Jesus, whom he handpicked to be your Christ. 21 Jesus must remain in heaven until the restoration of all things, about which God spoke long ago through his holy prophets. 22 Moses said, The Lord your God will raise up from your own people a prophet like me. Listen to whatever he tells you. 23 Whoever doesn’t listen to that prophet will be totally cut off from the people.[a] 24 All the prophets who spoke—from Samuel forward—announced these days. 25 You are the heirs of the prophets and the covenant that God made with your ancestors when he told Abraham, Through your descendants, all the families on earth will be blessed.[b] 26 After God raised his servant, he sent him to you first—to bless you by enabling each of you to turn from your evil ways.”


Reflect. The crowd, the commotion, the excitement, the fear… after the healing, “all the people rushed toward them … completely amazed.” When is the last time you have been completely amazed? When have you been completely amazed by the presence and power of God? 

• Unfortunately, passages like this have been used by Christians through history to justify antisemitism. Blaming Jewish people for the death of Jesus is a historic trope that has contributed to the death and mistreatment of millions of people through history. Christians must be careful to guard against this. It is helpful to remember that both Peter and John are Jewish. While they follow Jesus, they continue to worship, as Jews, at the temple. The issues around this are complex and difficult to navigate, but they are important to be aware of. 
• While it is historically accurate to know that certain people were responsible for the death of Jesus, the responsibility doesn’t stop there. In fact, you and your sin are of the same kind that put Jesus on the cross. Therefore, you, too, bear responsibility for the pain. But just as Peter shared the good news with the crowd, “after God raised his servant, he sent him to you … to bless you by enabling each of you to turn from your evil ways.” 

Pray. Take a few moment to confess you sin and to ask God to help you find amazement in God’s presence and power with you.

COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST
Doug. Bobby. Collier. Glenn. Adam.  Mary.  Clyde.  Linda. Betty Carolyn. Jeff. Albert. Richard. Lois. Ross. Tiny. Donald. Bill. Barbara. Andreas. Helen. Bonnie Brenner. Baker Family. Robert McKenzie Family. Terry Kibler. Carolyn Harlow.