David Bahn – Reflections

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, ² and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. ³ But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? ⁴ While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” ⁵ When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. ⁶ The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. – Acts 5:1-6

When I was 9 or 10 years old I bought my sister a Christmas gift: a set of checkers! She wasn’t really a fan of the game, but I loved it. The gift wasn’t really a gift for her. It was a thinly-veiled gift for me!

Ananias’ motives were not quite as tame as mine (though my sister might not have thought so at the time). Clearly, he (and his wife) had in mind quite the scam – though there was absolutely no reason to pursue it. The trouble with this scheme was not the amount of money given or withheld by Ananias and Sapphira. The problem was not that they wanted to follow the example of Barnabas. The problem was that they conspired to deceive the Holy Spirit by claiming a greater sacrifice than they had given.

This is the danger of wealth’s appeal and greed’s allure. When we have thousands of dollars to give, we can more easily project a greater sacrifice than if we have tens of dollars. The larger amounts also make it possible to project a greater gift: half of $100,000 is still $50,000. How impressive!

The greater danger, however, isn’t just trying to impress God; that cannot be done after all. The greater danger is substituting man’s awe for God’s approval. In other words, if we are more worried or given to a desire for man’s accolades than we are for God’s favor, we have substituted mortals for the immortal, eternal, almighty God.

It is striking to me that the punishment in this case is so swift and severe. Couldn’t these two simply have been given a warning? Why did they have to die? I’m not certain I know the answer to this question, but it certainly is obvious that God acts swiftly and decisively on this occasion. Perhaps that’s because for most Christians money is the chief rival god.

God is a jealous God and will strip away any pretense we might attempt to offer. If all that remains is the righteousness of Christ all is well. If, however, God’s stripping reveals a heart given to the praise of man or the refusal to honor God, death and condemnation await us.

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.³³ And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. ³⁴ There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold ³⁵ and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. ³⁶ Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, ³⁷ sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. – Acts 4:32-37

Some people say that all the church ever talks about is money. Perhaps that is the case in some instances. Truly, however, the Bible is full of references to and teachings about money. Treasure in a field. Silver coins lost and found. Servants entrusted with various amounts of money. Instructions on giving. Jesus himself says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

There are also plenty of other issues the Bible addresses: greed, lust, sin, fear, love, faith, prayer – to name just a few. On this occasion, however, Luke sets up a story (Acts 5)  about money and greed with this beautiful example of generosity and encouragement on the part of Barnabas – whose name means Son of Encouragement. He sells a field and brings the money to the disciples who are able then to distribute it to those who had needs.

In those days, moreover, the needs were often very real. The fledgling church actually did have it’s share of affluent and influential persons. But there were also people who had nothing, and who – because of their faith and confession – were outside of the realm of the rich and famous. They would need help in difficult times.

When Barnabas comes along and puts a large amount of money at the disposal of the disciples he was not only setting a good example. He was providing real aid in the face of people’s needs. His act of generosity will trigger two quite different responses. Some will be encouraged to be generous, thankful, and deeply touched by Barnabas’ act. Others, however, will try to offer a counterfeit copy of this act of genuine generosity.

The question for us is how we might respond to someone’s act of kindness, generosity, sacrifice, or love. Will we try to gain attention and fame by showboating a similar act of our own? Or will we thank God for such a person, and simply look for the opportunity to give a gift God puts at our disposal? It may be that our gift will never be as spectacular, outwardly generous or remarkable as anyone else’s. But we all give only what we have received. If we have been given the opportunity to do good and be generous, may we do so to God’s glory and other’s good.

When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, ²⁵ who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,

Perhaps you’ve already seen that video. It’s pretty convicting. First world problems read by third world people makes the point: We’ve got it pretty easy and good here in the USA or any other civilized country in 2017. Our problems are really minor annoyances compared to the danger of catching malaria, not having clean drinking water, or the threat of a bloody coup in a close-by neighboring country.

Sometimes we may even think in those same terms about our church: We don’t get to sing our favorite hymn the way we want to – without all that fancy organ embellishment, or in a tempo or style that is more to our liking. We may struggle with the design of the chancel, the color of the carpet, the presence or absence of flowers at Christmas or Easter, or an outdated Christian song at the contemporary worship service: “That was so 90’s!”

Take a look, by contrast, at this church here in Acts. It is fledgling. Newborn. Not well defined. Just trying to figure out how to be the church. Yet when they face the challenge of persecution and threat from those who want to quiet their Christian witness, they rejoice because God had counted them worthy to suffer for the sake of the gospel!

They don’t pray for retribution against those who persecuted them. They prayed for God to do more good among the people to give witness to his power and love: “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, ³⁰ while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

I don’t have in mind any particular complaint, frustration, or problems voiced by any specific person, group, or denomination. I do have in mind, however, the reality that it’s all to easy to express our displeasure when we’re consumed with our own comfort, ease, and visions of the way things ought to be.

If we’re on the mission field, we don’t expect the same level of comfort or ease.

Three years ago, Diane and I visited Kenya as part of a PLI International conference. The conditions of our accommodations were harsh. The whole compound was run on a 3000 watt generator which would choke down whenever anyone used the switch to heat the water in the shower heads (we called them suicide showers!). There was no heat or AC. The food was plenty but not anything nearly as nice as an American restaurant. and don’t even let me begin to talk about the roads! They were horrific!

We didn’t complain thought, because we were on a mission. I wonder if we’ve lost sight of the mission of God to which he calls us day by day here and now, in our own homes, neighborhoods, work places, and churches. Perhaps if we did, and we lived as though the most important thing was bringing the gospel to the next person God brings into our lives our silly complaints would be recognized for what they are: Anthems in Praise of Coziness.

I have no need to make the church more uncomfortable for anyone – old member or new. But I would dearly love to attain to a measure of maturity that was so well expressed by these early Christians. They continued to speak the word of God with boldness, and we are the better for it.

Thank God, even more, that he chose to become most extremely uncomfortable for us and took on all of our problems so that we may be saved. His loving sacrifice is not only an example, it is the means of our eternal salvation. Thanks be to God!

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. ¹⁵ But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, ¹⁶ saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” ¹⁸ So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, ²⁰ for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” ²¹ And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. ²² For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old. – Acts 4:13-22

Spy novels and movie thrillers themes will regularly have the bad guys trying to “handle” a situation. Rub out the trouble-maker. Fix a nosy two-bit cop who is getting close to the true corruption. Cast a bad light on the detective who is on their heels. Such is the stuff of Hollywood and pulp fiction. But it’s as old as the hills. It’s happening here in this encounter between the Jewish leaders and the won’t-go-away-Jesus-followers on this occasion.

There is a story to be told here. Jesus has risen from the dead. His followers are continuing his mission to bring the rule and reign of God into the lives of more and more people. A man has been healed. But from the standpoint of the Jewish leaders, this is all getting out of hand. They have no authority to do this. They are undercutting the powers that be in the Jewish system. They are getting out of hand and if not contained who knows what will happen?!?

So they try to handle it. They figure out that if they just slap their wrists for this incident (a significant slap mind you), they can power down this new and growing movement. They will put them in jail for a night to cool their overwrought fervor. They will put a gag order on more talk about Jesus. They will handle it. It will be neat and tidy. Life can go on as it should…uninterrupted by itinerant religious idealists.

What they didn’t realize, however, was that this was not an overheated meltdown of religious fervor. This was not some misguided fanaticism gone bad. Something really has happened. Jesus had risen from the dead. The Holy Spirit had come to his people. A new wave of believers were being brought to the front lines of the church’s growth. God was moving. People were being saved and healed. Lives were being changed. This was no gimmick or magic trick.

Handling life seldom really works. We may be able to manage our way through crises of various kinds. We may have our emergency fund set aside for a rainy day. We may have ways to control much of our own life’s context. But when God steps into the equation all bets are off. You simply do not manage God.

Peter’s declaration, in the face of the council’s gag order is worthy of all of Jesus’ followers: “We cannot help but speak of what we have seen and heard.” It’s best not to try to manage God’s work, but to proclaim it loudly and rejoice in his work of grace and redemption in our own lives.

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, ² greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³ And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. ⁴ But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

⁵ On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, ⁶ with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. ⁷ And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹ if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. ¹¹ This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.¹² And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:1-12

Many years ago my dad and mom sold our mom-and-pop motel to someone who had little money and not much financial stability. To do so, they held a significant second mortgage from the man who bought it. When it became obvious, also, that he had little ability to run an enterprise such as that successfully as well. When the business failed, my dad sent me out to the motel offices to take over the operations. I went with the In  assurance that I had the authority to go in and take over – all on the basis of my dad’s orders. A couple of phone calls later – including one to our family attorney – had me standing down. I was treading on dubious legal grounds at best. More likely I could have been arrested for trespassing!

In the case of Jesus and his disciples they took Jesus’ words completely to heart. He had said, at the Great Commission, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me…” The disciples here are acting on the basis of that authority: They went to the temple and began not only praising God, but healing in Jesus’ name, and now explaining their answers by pointing people to Jesus’ resurrection.

When confronted by those who were supposedly in charge, they do not back down. In stead they give further witness to Jesus, and in the face of being arrested they do not back down. They are completely committed to the service of Jesus. When they are given the chance, the double-down and proclaim that it is only in Jesus’ name that miracles were being done, hope was being uncovered, and people were being saved.

There are many reasons that people would want to short-circuit the work of Jesus and the spread of his message. He lays a claim on people’s lives that goes beyond any other person or influence. Jesus messes with the lives of people who want to live on their own terms and with their own rules and chart their own courses apart from anyone telling them what to do.

Jesus’ rule in people’s hearts is not one of telling people to do or not to do certain things. But when Jesus rules in people’s hearts, deep changes occur. His love and salvation touches every part of people’s lives. It changes how we process life and every facet of our being. It may not be that we head out to the local temple or synagogue. It may not be that we stand on a corner and proclaim the truth of God’s word. But it may mean that we actually forgive those who have offended us. It may mean that we pray to God in Jesus’ name, with the hopes of God’s answers. It may mean that we give large amounts of money for the cause of the Gospel.

Whatever we do in faith in Jesus, believing his words and promises, we mark ourselves as those who believe Jesus. One day all will have to answer to him, for he has all authority in heaven and on earth. In the mean time as we act out of that faith, we are under the cover of his authority. And God’s salvation avails to us who claim the name of Jesus.

“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. ¹⁸ But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.¹⁹ Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, ²⁰ that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. ²² Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. ²³ And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ ²⁴ And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. ²⁵ You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ ²⁶ God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

It was a great moment in my preaching career. It took place several years ago and many miles away. I had preached a blistering sermon on why business as usual was no longer an option for the church. I cited statistic after statistic, made point after point, piled on conviction upon conviction of why people needed to repent. It was a powerful moment. One woman afterwards offered the comment to me, “You really stepped on our toes today…and we needed it.”

The change I proposed was that people would attend Bible class as a high priority. Nothing wrong with that at all. People should attend Bible classes as well as worship regularly. It simply wasn’t enough. And the next week’s dramatic uptick in Bible class attendance all too quickly ebbed away…to business as usual. My sermon proved to be a bump in the road for the business as usual bias (called homeostasis – the tendency toward relatively stable equilibrium of physical as well as relational systems). How I wish it had been more long-lasting!

What of Peter’s sermon to these people – God’s chosen people (cf. v. 26)? It is a message so much for us today, God’s people. In the church. Of the fold. Believers. Notice with me the sweetness of the opening words:

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, ²⁰ that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

Refreshing comes from the presence of the Lord. We realize and embrace that presence by repentance.

I notice, however, that the call to repent is not covered in a cloak of gentleness or offered in minced words. Peter concludes, “God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.” There is an offering of blessing to be sure. But the message is clear: wickedness is present and to be abandoned. For those folks it was likely the foolishness of believing that they were just fine; that business as usual was not only acceptable. Business as usual was the way things ought to run. There was no need for refreshing or repentance. There was no blind eye toward their sin; they were just fine. So they thought. Thankfully Peter uncovered their need and pointed them to their true need and God’s provision through Jesus.

I believe there is a message for us today. Somehow to embrace God’s call to repent from the heart is a call for us each day. That daily repentance brings us to places of refreshment and blessing. The wickedness of our sinful nature will always point us toward complacency, life-as-usual, blind eyes toward our own sin. But God invites us to places of refreshment in his presence and grace. What does that mean for me today? And for you, dear reader?

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. ¹² And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? ¹³ The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. ¹⁴ But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, ¹⁵ and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. ¹⁶ And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. – Acts 3:11-16

I’ll admit it: as a young boy I was fascinated by the carnival sideshows at the regional fair. The possibility of seeing a three-armed baby, a largest woman in the world, or some other sensation got hold of me. I was so smitten by the idea of seeing the latest distraction at the fair. It’s probably good I never went. Somehow I knew it was either fake or not something to pursue.

Like an auto accident on the other side of the road, however, people (myself included) will tend to rubber neck. We are drawn to the weird, sensational, or horrific. That’s my sense of this moment when Peter heals the blind man who is now walking and leaping and praising God. He has become a spectacle. An amusement. A distraction.

Peter knows this. He also knows that these people need something more than an explanation of why and how this man was healed and so transformed. It is interesting to me that he realized that they needed to come to grips with a greater need that a satisfied curiosity: They needed to recognize their culpability in the death of Jesus, and that God had raised Jesus from the dead. It was by the power of Jesus that the man was healed.

They needed to come to grips with that. And so do we. I’m not sure how to embrace or teach our own culpability in Jesus’ death. But I do know that I need a Savior, and that he died for me. Thanks be to God that I also know and believe that God raised him from the dead, and that his power is still at work in the lives of his followers today. How about you?

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. ² And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. ³ Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. ⁴ And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” ⁵ And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. ⁶ But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” ⁷ And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. ⁸ And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. ⁹ And all the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰ and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. – Acts 3:1-10

I have a pet pieve. When people say that they don’t want to share the gospel with someone lest they lead that person astray. “I don’t want to lead someone to hell,” they say. No doubt. But a follower of Jesus, one who believes in his name, can certainly give a friend, family member of coworker a simple witness: “This is what I’ve learned/experienced/believed. Want to explore more about that with me?” The door is open for further conversation and mutual learning.

It’s all about giving what you have, and not what you don’t have. Suppose you don’t have all the intricacies of the communication of attributes within the Trinity? Do you at least know that we name our (triune) God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Perhaps you don’t really understand how God created the world, or how it all fits in with the challenges of modern secular science. Can you still say, “I believe that God made me and all that exists.”? There are no doubt a million reasons not to say something to someone about Jesus. I’m not sure any of them are valid – given the opportunity. And when we do, we simply give what we have.

That’s just what Peter did here in this encounter. Admittedly his theological depth of understanding was out of our league. Truly he had an incredible advantage of being taught directly by Jesus. No doubt the freshness of the Holy Spirit’s influence on him was lingering in his heart. All that, however, made possible to give to the blind man something better than the alms he was begging. Peter had something better than silver or gold, and he shared it in a mighty and amazing manner with this man.

Next time someone is in need, and asking you for help. Give what you have. It may be financial help. It may, on the other hand, be an offer to pray, or a long coffee break of listening and caring. It may even be a simple formula: I don’t have an answer to your problem, but I do know that God cares about this. Could we pray about that now? It might even be an offer to help someone let go of hostility, bitterness, resentment, or shame. It might be that the message of God’s love, forgiveness and salvation could bring a person to their feet in praise and joy…all because you gave what you have.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³ And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all who believed were together and had all things in common. ⁴⁵ And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶ And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. – Acts 2:42-47

Living the Gospel Life is the name of a devotional magazine for which Diane and I both wrote for a couple of years. Published by Creative Communications for the Parish in St. Louis, MO, it never attained critical mass, however, and is no longer being published. Diane continues to write for it’s sister publication: Hopeful Living, a devotional publication especially for senior adults. We both enjoyed LTGL writing for it’s focus on the intentional missional living bent of the devotions. In other words, it was all about what is expressed in these verses from Acts 2.

First and foremost is the devotion to the Apostle’s teaching. The Word of God is essential to a well-founded faith. And that word tells us of God’s rich love, merciful forgiveness, and gracious gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Peter has brought God’s word to bear on the lives of the people in Jerusalem at Pentecost, and called them to repent and be baptized. They had received the Holy Spirit, the forgiveness of sins, and learning that this gift was/is for all people, young and old, far and near, whomever the Lord would call to himself. That is the gospel. Now they set about living the gospel life.

Peter’s sermon brought the Word of God to bear on the hearts of those early Jesus followers. Those who received it were baptized – 3000 of them! – and discovered a deep fellowship with one another. They had experienced the grace of God deep in their hearts. They had been saved. Such was their fellowship. Any true fellowship of God’s people today will be one based in the grace of God, the forgiveness of sins, and the eternal fortune of salvation. Such a fellowship sustains faith and is the seedbed of a life of missional grace.

The mission of God is his mission to which he invites us. He is adding to the number of believers daily, and we are privileged to participate in that grace. If we live together in love, fellowship, sharing each other’s needs, and favor, we will discover the mystery of God’s work among us. Jesus prayed that his followers would all be one, “so that the world would know” that the Father had sent him (cf. John 17:20-23). We see that happening here. God works through united people.

The saddest thing about life today in the Church (those who outwardly confess Jesus Christ as Lord throughout the world today) is the fractured unity that exists. If it was a matter of only denominational disunity that would be plenty bad enough. But the disunity shows up in congregations of the same denomination and even within local churches all too often (once in 2000 years is enough!). It’s a wonder the Christian church even exists at all today! But this is testimony of God’s work – adding to his church those who were/are being saved. What a privilege to live in the grace of God – the soil of his mission to which he also calls us!

 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸ And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” ⁴⁰ And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” ⁴¹ So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. – Acts 2:37-41

I am facing a day today (writing this on Friday) that is open, free, and with few things on my to-do list. I’ll manage to do some light housework, some bill paying, some photography cataloguing and a few other lazy day things. It’s been an eventful week, and recovering from knee replacement surgery has had its challenges, ups and downs, and moments of pain and victory.

I’m quite certain that no one in Jerusalem that Pentecost 2000 years ago was recovering from knee replacement surgery. But I’m certain many of them had their to-do lists of some sort. But for 3000 of those folks the day brought a dramatic opportunity to do something that they had not imagined, or perhaps even knew that they would need to do. They would have an opportunity to come face to face with an eternity-altering reality and need.

The reality is that we are accountable for our actions; accountable to God. That brings us to the need: we must repent, for we have in one way or another crucified Jesus. But God is not interested only in our comeuppance. God is interested in our salvation. For that reason God not only sent his Son and allowed him to be crucified. He also raised him from the dead. And then he went even farther: he brought people to the awareness of their need for forgiveness for their part in Jesus’ death. He called them to repent of their sins, be baptized and receive the forgiveness of sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

This is the fullness of God’s grace. Not only is God willing to seek for his people and bring them back to himself. He is willing to rescue and redeem us. Desiring that we experience this redemption as grace and not coercion, he makes this available to us by faith by way of repentance from our sins and belief in his goodness, promises, and forgiveness for Jesus’ sake. God desires to be known not only for his holiness, majesty, might, and sovereignty over all things, but most of all for his grace (cf. Ephesians 1:6).

The question of what we shall do at any given moment can be one of anxious fear, deliberate assessment, rich opportunity, or open options. When God brings us to that place of encounter with his ultimate glory and will, the answer is simple: repent and believe. It is the same message with which Jesus began his ministry (cf. Mark 1:15), and which is a daily calling to the saved sinner: repent and believe. When that question comes to us in dramatic form – just as it did to the people at Pentecost – it is good to know that the desire of God is also a blessing for us all: to turn from the folly of our sinfulness to the richness of God’s grace and salvation through faith in Jesus.