July 20, 2020, Psalms 130, Acts 3

Happy Monday!

July 20, 2020

Psalms 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; 

Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive

to my cry for mercy.

If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, 

Lord, who could stand?  

But with you there is forgiveness, 

so that we can, with reverence, serve you. 

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, 

and in his word I put my hope. 

I wait for the Lord

more than the watchmen wait for 

the morning. 

Israel, put your hope in the Lord, 

for with the Lord is unfailing love

and with him is full redemption. 

He himself will redeem Israel from 

all their sins. 

Acts 3

 

The condition of the temple. The Challenges encountered.

(In the first century there was a Greek inscription, dated to the first century AD, and it was mounted on the balustrade (fence) around Jerusalem temple. The inscription reads, "Foreigners must not enter inside the balustrade of into the forecourt around the sanctuary. Whoever is caught will have himself to blame for his ensuring death. The good news of Jesus Christ challenged this exclusionary message. In Acts the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world.)

Peter Heals A Lame Beggar

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, Look at us! So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 

Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. 

Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used sit begging at the temple gate called beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 

(Repentance is a change of mind and of the will rising from a depth of sorrow for sin and there is a leading to a new life. Sins are forgiven as a direct result of repentance. 

Repentance=you are forgiven for your sins)

Peter Speaks to the Onlookers

While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's' Colonnade. 

(The miracle caused the crowd to pay attention to Peter and John.  Of course it is by the power of God but it brings the crowd to Peter and John. It is like a sign that God is with Peter and John.)

"Fellow Israelite's, why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 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. You disowned the Holy and Righteous one and asked that a murderer be released to you. 

(Do you remember Peter's first speech in chapter one to the crowd who witness the tongues of fire. Well this one is similar to it. These people who witness the beggar being healed are amazed and astonished. The first group witness the tongues of fire and this caught their attention the beggar being healed. God knows how to bring the people as well as grab their audience. 

It may be a little off but I notice today sometimes success seems to get peoples attention or money. Even the beggar asked Peter and John for money. Most people especially if the background has poverty they are astonished by wealth. 

Secondly, I really like that Peter lets them know that there actions against Jesus Christ wrong. How can you repent of something that you don't acknowledge. 

As a community they watched and allowed Jesus Christ an innocent man be killed that is pretty serious in the eyes of God. I believe that Peter is not trying to make them feel bad but he is letting them know; you turned him over to be killed, you disowned him, you hurt an righteous and innocent person; most importantly the son of God. It seems to me he is appealing to their conscience.)

You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 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 completely healed him, as you can all see. 

Now, fellow Israelite's, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 

But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through the prophets saying that his Messiah would suffer. 

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus.

Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 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. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people. 

(The Jewish people had to repent for their sin against Jesus Christ. God has wipe away the greatest sin of all times. Think of the worst thing you have done. There is nothing worst than what happened to Jesus. The roman's drove the nails through his hands. Place him on the cross but the Jews conspired together and acted as if he was threat to the temple. He was never a threat but they wanted to get rid of God. That is what the devil does but Peter says, God had a plan. He already knew what they would do so he made a plan that would defeat the devil at his own game. Today he still plays the same game. He points the finger at the wrong person. He rallies people together for false accusations. He likes to kill the innocent. Why would the devil kill his own.)

Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days. 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 the earth will be blessed. When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways. 

I bless you in the name of Jesus!

and may the blessing of the Lord be upon you!