The Power of Love
Opening Prayer
Great God, I marvel at Your power and I revel in Your great love. You are truly an amazing God.
Read Acts 3:11-26
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[11] While the man 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: “Fellow Israelites, 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 completely healed him, as you can all see. [17] “Now, fellow Israelites, 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 Messiah 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 Messiah, who has been appointed for you-even Jesus. [21] Heaven must receive him 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 their people.’ [24] “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who 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
How did Peter explain this miraculous healing?“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” The late Jimi Hendrix is better known for his guitar-playing than for his wisdom, but his clever wordplay is true. Over the centuries, countless people in all spheres of activity and influence have fallen prey to the corrupting nature of power. Immediately after the spectacular healing of the lame man, all eyes were fixed on Peter and John (11). Here was their perfect opportunity to bathe in the limelight, receive mass adulation and enjoy five minutes of fame. Instead, Peter’s spontaneous response was to explain the real identity of the person with the power (16). By the time Peter had finished his compact and comprehensive history lesson featuring giants of the faith–Abraham, Moses and Samuel–there was no room for doubt. The healer and long-awaited prophet was Jesus. Peter takes every opportunity and repeats his earlier invitation to turn to God, find forgiveness and be refreshed (19). As Peter resisted temptation to take any of the glory, the power of love rather than the love of power was on display for all to see.
Apply
Have you ever been tempted to take the glory for something that God has done? If so, confess it now.
Closing prayer
Lord, You alone deserve the glory for all the good around me. Keep me from taking it for myself.
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