Broadcast News
Opening Prayer
My Lord, I am so thankful for the people in my life who shared Your Good News with me.
Read ACTS 3:11-26
[11] While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. [12] When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? [13] The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. [14] You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. [15] You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. [16] By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. [17] “Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. [18] But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. [19] Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, [20] and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you-even Jesus. [21] He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. [22] For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. [23] Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.’ [24] “Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days. [25] And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ [26] When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
To what end does Peter employ this healing?Not surprisingly, news of the remarkable healing spread quickly around the temple courtyards. With the formerly lame man leaping and dancing around him, Peter explained what had happened. All of the Old Testament points to Jesus, he told them. And Jesus is responsible for this healing.
It must have been strange for Peter to find himself preaching to a crowd in the very place where Jesus had done the same thing (see John 10:23). Even in the hallowed precincts of the temple, the Galilean fisherman didn’t hold back. He told his audience they were ignorant (17). He said they were wicked (26). He even called them murderers (15). It was hardly crowd-pleasing stuff! But for all that, his message was charged with good news. Even though you rejected him, Jesus is still at work, still powerful (16), still calling for a response (19).
Do we sometimes make the mistake of telling our neighbors and our society how far they have fallen, without telling them the good news: “The promises of God are for you” (see v 25).
Apply
What is the Good News that you have to share with others? Who could you share it with soon?
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, keep me ready to share Your Good News with the right people at the right time.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.