October 8

Acts 4: 1-13 While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, 2 much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. 3 So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand. 5 The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 When they had made the prisoners stand in their 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 questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. 11 This Jesus is 'the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.' 12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved." 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus.

Peter’s sermon stirs us up the religious authorities. It all started with a lame beggar asking for alms. That is the way the world works. The lame, the blind, the outcast know their place in the temple. They are present to ask those coming to the temple to fulfill the law and care for those in need. Peter’s healing response in the name of Jesus does more than was expected. It fulfilled the law, and it upset the system.

Just as Jesus was taken before the rulers and elders of the people, so too his follows are taken before the rulers and elders. Peter, who denied know Jesus, now proclaims Jesus as the only name under heaven which saves. This message of Jesus changes Peter from an “uneducated and ordinary man” into a bold proclaimer of the gospel. Again we see that Peter’s defense is not his power or authority, but the work of God through Jesus Christ.

The church is made up of ordinary people. Our education, class, or status is not the message. Rather it is the same God who raised Jesus from the dead that empowers and uses the ordinary people in the church. Too often we step back from the lame man for fear that we will not be able to accomplish what God is calling us to do. Peter and John become role models for the church. We offer what we have, Jesus Christ. That gift of God will heal and will change the system.

Reflection questions:
1. Who are the lame at our temple gates today?
2. How does the knowledge of Jesus as the name who saves empower us to witness?
3. Where is the church being changed to bring healing and life to the world? Do you expect such change?