Week 16: Then Peter Stood...

“Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd.”

Then Peter stood...

Don’t you love Peter? For me, he is someone I can always relate with. He’s always sticking his foot in his mouth. I’ll never be a John or a Paul, but there are times I can really relate to Peter. 

Acts 2 is a chapter I’ve always loved. Remember, it had just happened, Peter had denied Jesus. The beautiful part now is that Peter stood. There were Eleven others too, but Peter stood. There were people from all over in the crowd who spoke who knows how many languages, but Peter stood. He spoke to them all. It did not matter where they were from, what nationality they were, or what language they spoke. Peter had the message they all needed. 

Cut to their hearts by Peter’s message they asked Peter “Brothers, what shall we do?” These people had just crucified Jesus. Knowing the severity of their actions, even they could receive the gift of the Holy Spirit of God. 

No, I was not there and was not one who crucified Jesus. No, I was not the one yelling “Crucify him, crucify him!” But my sin and failures continually remind me that I need a Savior. I need God’s spirit. My shortcomings are made perfect only by His sacrifice. I need that reminder of God’s salvation and to continually receive the spirit of God.

If you haven’t made the choice to follow Christ, I pray that you will. This chapter can certainly put you on the right path. We are all imperfect people serving a perfect God. Yes, I stumble and fall, but I know that God has me. And I can live with that. 

- Josh Swanger