Acts 3:12-19 (NRSV)
Read Acts 3:12-19 on biblegateway.com
Verse 12When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, "You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? Verse 13The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. Verse 14But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, Verse 15and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. Verse 16And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you. Verse 17"And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. Verse 18In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. Verse 19Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out,
Devotion
Peter and John were involved in the task at hand, “going up to the temple at the hour of prayer.” But God’s task for them at that moment was to minister and heal a lame man. Passing through a crowded and busy gate to the temple, they heard the call of a man lying on the ground. Being attentive to “God’s pause” opened the door for God to heal this man and an opportunity to share the gospel with many more.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we pray that in the midst of our busy schedules we may be as sensitive as Peter and John to the Holy Spirit. Let us hear your plan for this moment and this day. Help us reach out to those in need of ministry and your healing touch. Amen.