Acts 3:11-26
While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the so-called portico of Solomon, full of amazement. But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.
“And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. Moses said, ‘THE LORD GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN; TO HIM YOU SHALL GIVE HEED to everything He says to you. And it will be that every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days. It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘AND IN YOUR SEED ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.’ For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”
When Jesus is dealing with his disciples, I can find myself in the story. Maybe I’m (doubting) Thomas. Could be (questioning) Philip. Maybe (brash) Peter. I might see myself as a Nicodemus character, or the one who cries, “I believe, help my unbelief!” This story presents a bit more of a challenge.
I don’t see myself in the crowd to whom Peter is preaching. It’s not obvious that I need to turn from my wicked ways. I’m certainly not perfect, but I devote myself to learning from Jesus, seeking his kingdom, and desiring his blessings. I truly do want to live under Christ in his kingdom and serve him eternally. But I don’t do that perfectly. And I truly do need to repent daily, for I sin daily.
Maybe I’m one of the bystanders, watching all this unfold, and wondering how Peter got to be so bold, dedicated, courageous, and faithful. I can look at those who really do need to find refreshment with God, having their sins washed away. I could be the lame man who has been healed and is clinging to Jesus with all his might.
We all fit in every page of the Bible in one way or another. It could be a sin to abandon, a promise to believe, a rededication to particular obedience, a joy to celebrate, a message to share, or a hope to cling to. But every story has a message for us that is shaped to point us to Jesus. We all need him, no matter where we find ourselves in his story of grace and truth.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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