Acts 3

Read: Acts 3

In the beginning of chapter 3, Peter and John heal a man and the people are astonished at what they see.  Peter and John tell them that it is not by their own doing, but by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth that they are able to heal.  These people no doubt knew who Jesus was; they knew he had been crucified. In fact many of those hearing this message may have even witnessed Jesus’ trial and crucifixion.  Peter does not hold any punches as can be seen in verses 14-15. He points out the fact that they were responsible for the undeserved death of Jesus. He shows them that they had sinned horrifically in crucifying “the source of life.”  But God raised him from the dead, and it is because of this truth that Peter and John were able to heal the man.

Peter doesn’t just point the finger at them; he gives them a choice to make.  Despite their ignorance, they were still guilty. They needed to repent and have their sins wiped out.  Only through Jesus could they be forgiven and be made right with God. Only through him could the nations be blessed and the restoration of all things come about.  

The message of Christ is a message of freedom.  Maybe you and I have not hurt or killed anyone, or maybe you have… These people didn’t just kill a random person, they killed the “source of life.”  They killed the best of the best, the king of kings, the one who was before all. Yet his death was sufficient and necessary to provide the forgiveness of sins to the worst of the worst and the greatest among sinners.  No one is too far gone for God’s grace to save. Sin may have darkened the minds of people, but God can break through to anyone.

There are at least two things we can take away from this.  First, when we sin we should remember that there is forgiveness available to us.  No matter what we have done, God has provided forgiveness. That doesn’t mean we can just go around and sin all we want.  A lack of conviction for that sort of lifestyle is evidence that God is not at work in a person’s life. When we do sin, if we confess to God and repent, he is more than willing to forgive.  Secondly, no one is too far gone. That friend who is an outspoken atheist, the family member who was abusive to you, the bully that you hated as a child, or the religious extremist who murders women and children in the name of a different god; no one is too far gone.  Pray for them, share with them, and trust God to move in their life and in yours.