Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Responding to Jesus

Saturday, April 2, 2005

Acts 4:13-14
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.

Oh, to be an ordinary man schooled in the ways of Jesus. The movers and shakers of Jerusalem's religious establishment could have responded with joy and desire to this miracle in their midst. They could have asked each other where they could get some of this mojo, and discovered for themselves the power of the Holy Spirit.

That's certainly not the way this story goes. Those in the know said no, those who led wouldn't follow, the strong chose not to admit their weakness. So God, their maker, stopped outside the synagogue and wept.

I'm so tempted to pursue this "if only" train of thought. But I remember just in time that it's not for my simple human mind to know how things could have been different. I move on from where things are, not where they coulda-shoulda been.

When Peter spoke the word this man's limbs grew from withered sticks to strong, leaping, running legs. He didn't think to say "No!" when Peter told him to stand up. He didn't analyze their request; he obeyed it. In this instant of childlike faith he received God's gift and a testimony which he proceeded to share with joyful abandon everywhere he went.

More than once Peter jumped into the water to get to Jesus. Now as he began the ministry of giving away what he'd been given, Peter told the crippled man to walk and he did. Both of them followed their hearts into the kingdom of God.

As Jesus said to his disciples, I hear him say to me, "Go ye and do likewise."

Ground my questions in humility, Lord. I want to follow you first and think later.

Devotions Archive

Responding to Jesus

Saturday, April 2, 2005