July 11th, 2011
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

All Down to Jesus

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Ever-listening Lord, so often I only give You partial attention. Focus me now as I center down on Jesus.

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.

Meditate

“We must acknowledge Jesus Christ as the proper object of our worship, witness and hope, and as deserving the description ‘incomparable.’ For he has neither rivals nor peers” (John Stott).

Think Further

In the early Church, signs and proclamation were inseparably linked (Heb. 2:4). Peter is again presented with an opportunity to speak as a result of the healing and he wastes no time. The task of the witness (15) is to tell what he or she has seen or experienced, and Peter’s account is firmly focused on Jesus, telling what he knows from his time with Jesus. It is Jesus who has healed the man. Peter talks of him as Christ, the Messiah, and Anointed One (18,20). He has come in fulfillment of prophecy. In him the God of the patriarchs has acted. God’s work is one. There is indeed a new covenant, but it is the realization of all that was promised in the old, but never achieved (25).

In a remarkably short space, Peter gives us a comprehensive picture of Jesus and his achievements on our behalf. It is worth looking through the verses again and listing what he says. In language reminiscent of Isaiah 53, Jesus is described as servant (13, although the Greek word can also be translated “child”) and Holy and Righteous One (14). As servant he carries out the will of the Father. He is seen as the prophet foretold by Moses (22). As Moses spoke for God bringing the law, so Jesus spoke for God bringing grace (John 1:17). He is the promised descendant of Abraham (25). He is the “author of life” (15), the creator, the irony of his death thus being highlighted. As in ch. 2, the emphasis falls on the resurrection (26) but with the added thought that he is reigning and will return to bring everything to a conclusion (21). In the meantime we can experience the refreshment spoken of by Hosea and Isaiah (19).

Apply

When you have the chance to speak of Jesus, you could make this summary your own. Think about some potential situations and pray that God will give you an opportunity.

Closing prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, You are truly incomparable. You are Suffering Savior, Risen Redeemer, coming King. I worship You and bless Your holy name. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

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