Acts 3:11-21
Grace peace and mercy from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
We all can reflect back on events in our past that we wish we would have handled differently. I know there are times that I get angry about the past not so much about the particular incident but that the memory resurfaces and with it so does some of the pain. How great it would be to selectively purge memories. But then without memories we are doomed to repeat those unpleasant events. Sometimes I get a nauseous feeling about those events. You know the kind of sickening anxiety I'm talking about. Especially when I encounter a similar event and I wish I wouldn't have to face it again yet am wiser because of the pain of the past. That gut wrenching feeling begins all over again as a warning sign to steer away. Dread fear terror trepidation alarm fright horror all words that I associate with the thought of painting a room. On a serious note, if you have ever been in a major auto accident you know exactly the kind of feeling that takes hold of you as the shock wears off and extent the damage becomes apparent. You also may know the great relief that comes over you if everyone escapes with little or no physical injuries. And you may also have experienced the fear that takes over when you recognize similar traffic circumstances unfolding in front of you. In our reading from Acts we can sense the dread and horror of the people gathered around Peter and John at Solomon's Colonnade in the temple court. To appreciate the scene unfolding we need to go back into the 2nd chapter of Acts to put everything in perspective. The events of our reading come after the Pentecost when a fearful little group of 120 was blessed with the Holy Spirit. On that day a fearful little group became bold outspoken witnesses of the resurrection. Peter boldly speaks to crowds drawn to the sounds of the coming of the Holy Spirit and 3000 were added to their number. Days latter as Peter and John go to the temple for prayer they pass a crippled beggar sitting at the gate called Beautiful. This man was crippled from birth. His friends or family brought him to the gate every day to beg for money. As they pass by the man asks Peter and John for money. Peter responds that he can't give him money but can give him something in the name of Jesus Christ, the ability to walk. Imagine the great joy this man had, he could now be normal and walk like everyone else. In fact he was so overjoyed he was walking and jumping and praising God. This man was causing quite a sensation drawing people to see what was happening. And as they approached they were amazed to find the crippled beggar healed. In our reading Peter addresses the crowd gathering around them asking why this amazes them the power to heal has come from God who glorified Jesus Christ. Then Peter takes the gloves off and levels a devastating charge at them, "You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this." Let that sink in for a moment.Talk about dread and horror. They are being called murderers of an innocent man. But not just any man the Son of God. And even worse yet He was raised from the dead. That means He can exact vengeance on them. We also are murderers, we weren't in the courtyard shouting crucify Him but when we sin we are echoing the shouts of long ago. That brings a sickening feeling to me when I realize I played a part in Christ's suffering. But we see there is hope because Peter gives the people some latitude by saying they acted in ignorance. I have a little trouble with that statement because the people knew of Jesus' teachings and heard about the miraculous healings He performed. We too act in ignorance and impulsively at times. That is why we confess corporately we have sinned by what we have done and left undone. The difference between then and now is that we know there is hope. We know that Jesus' resurrection was not for wrath but was for us to know that His suffering and death means we don't need to fear death. We can have great joy because we know we have eternal life through our faith in Jesus Christ. Shouldn't we be walking jumping and praising God like the crippled man? Or at least have a big smile on our face. Life isn't always pleasant but we do have someone holding our hand to get us through the tough spots. And like Jesus we need to get out and do some hand holding. Let your actions show your joy in the resurrection. Make people wonder what they are missing. In the name of our risen Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
