Peter: What Can We Learn From Peter's Life?Sample

"Rise Up and Walk."

After Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, the number of believers in Jesus continued to grow in Jerusalem. Peter and the other disciples (apostles) were busy teaching these new believers about Jesus and how to follow Him. They were performing miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit. All of Jerusalem would have been abuzz with these events.

In the midst of this, Peter and John made an afternoon trip to the temple where they met a man who had never walked a step in his whole life. All he wanted from Peter and John was a bit of money to keep him going another day, but Peter knew that God wanted so much more for the man. In Jesus’s name, Peter healed the man’s legs and then told him and the gathered crowd the Good News.

The location of this miracle and sermon are significant. Both occurred in the temple of Jerusalem, the most important place of worship for the Jewish people. The religious leaders at this temple governed Jewish worship, and were zealous about following the Law of Moses and the Prophets. However, their zeal had actually prevented them from recognizing that Jesus was the fulfillment of both the Law and the Prophets. They had declared Him blasphemous and condemned Him to death. Imagine their response when Jesus’s death did not put a stop to the movement He had started. In fact, it was multiplying rapidly rather than dying out!

Peter was no longer afraid of these religious leaders. He had clear and pointed words for his audience, which would surely have included some of these respected men. Peter spoke of the identity of Jesus as the Son of God - the very message that had condemned Jesus to death. He accused them of killing the Author of life, but also told them of His resurrection. Refreshment for the soul was available to all who would repent. Peter did not hold back. This message was more important than anything, and Peter wanted everyone to hear it - from the lowly, lame beggar to the revered religious leader.

Reflection:

What would it have been like to be part of the early Church here in Jerusalem?

How does Peter’s boldness in this passage challenge or encourage you?