Psalm 40:1-5 / Acts 3:12-19

During the remaining Sundays of Easter (it is a seven-week long season), and including the Day of Pentecost (May 19), I will be preaching from the Book of Acts. This week, our reading is Acts 3:13-21.

The apostles Peter and John have just healed a lame man, and restored his ability to walk. This draws a crowd of curious and amazed onlookers, and provides Peter with what we now call “a teachable moment”.

First, notice how Peter names God in verse 13. Now go back to Exodus 3:6. Why do you suppose Peter uses this reference for God?

Peter seems to make a rather blunt attack on the gathered Israelites. But notice what he says in verse 17! Could it be that, even today, people who oppose us about faith (or almost anything) act out of ignorance? How might our response be changed if we assume our opponents operate from ignorance more than malice? “Father, forgive them,” Jesus said from the cross, “for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).