Have you ever done something so wrong that you can’t understand how anyone could forgive you? Maybe it’s some hateful thing you’ve said to your spouse. Perhaps your kids did something and your reaction was less about teaching them and more about satisfying your own anger. It could be that secret habit you just can’t stop but hope and pray no one ever finds out about.
Read
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 or 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 to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
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. When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? 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. 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 Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all 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.’
“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 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.”
Reflect
In Peter’s sermon, he had an accusation for the Jewish people. Those same people who sang Hosanna on Palm Sunday were the same people who shouted for Jesus’ death on Good Friday. This wasn’t a sin against their loved ones, this was a sin against Holy God. These people had spit on Jesus, betrayed him, called for his death, beat him, then crucified him.
Yet, are we any better? Our every sin is a spit in the face of the God who demands that we “be holy.” Each sin is a betrayal of the God who loved us enough to send his Son to save us. Yet, the message Peter spoke is not the message of condemnation, but of forgiveness. These Jews killed Jesus Christ and our sins are no better. Yet, out of the excruciating death of Jesus, who was sinless, God brought about his plan of salvation–salvation for sinners like them and for sinners like you and me. There is no sin too great for God’s forgiveness.
As Peter said, “Repent then, and turn to God.” There is no need to continue to live with the burden of sin. Today, repent and turn to God.
Apply
The irony in this story is that the beggar sat only feet away from what should have been a house of healing unable to enter because in this temple, the sick and broken were unwelcome. This man watched for years as healthy temple-goers walked inside to worship and pray. Today, many still feel that way, thinking, “When I fix myself, or clean myself up, I’ll go to church.” New Horizon Church is not the country club. We are the hospital, full of broken, imperfect people who are seeking help, hope, healing and forgiveness. Are you broken? Burdened? Come or invite someone to come this Sunday at 10:30am.
Pray
Dear God, I am a sinner. I need your healing. Today, I repent from _____________________ and am turning to you. Help me to continue to deepen my relationship with You, and I pray you will continue to point out sin in my life, that I may become a fully devoted follower. Heal me. Save me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.