Skip to main content

Seized

Jesus is
“ ‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” - Acts 4:11-12
 
 
Lately, I have found myself spending a lot of time in the Book of Acts. I’ve been enamored by the early church and its actions. These people actually knew Jesus or knew people who knew Jesus. They saw the miracles. They heard the parables. They saw the reactions of those threatened by Jesus' very existence. They were hunted, thrown in prison, and killed because they followed Jesus. 
 
The selection above comes after Peter and John were abducted by the temple guard. The Bible says, “they seized Peter and John” (Acts 4:3). I can say I’ve never been seized. It is a concept I can only understand because I have seized things, but never people. My kids come home with Halloween candy and I seize my favorite candies. I have seized many an opportunity, but never a person. Can you imagine being in church listening to a pastor's sermon when armed guards enter. They march on the platform and take the pastor away. This is essentially what has happened.
 
Peter is questioned by his captors. The ones who seized him. To me this is one of those situations that can take the outspoken and make them timid. After all, these are the same guys who seized our Savior. Peter who was previously timid in these high pressure situations has been transformed. He is now bold. 
 
He reminds those that seized him that they didn't believe that Jesus was the Messiah. In fact, they rejected Him. They tossed Him to the side. Peter assures them that the only hope they have is found in Jesus. The only way for any of us to be delivered from a forever separated from God is through the love and sacrifice of Jesus. 
 
God is looking to transform each of us like Peter. I think Peter realized that there was no action on this Earth, nothing any human could do, nothing the enemy could do that could again separate him from God. Fear was gone. He had seized the promise of our Savior, Jesus. 
 
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Matt
 
 


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Anchor House Week 31 - NAMMA

The first week of August, I had the chance to attend the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) Conference. NAMMA is an ecumenical, Christian association of individuals and affiliated organizations involved in maritime ministry throughout North America, including the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. I had the privilege of attending the conference with our summer intern, Gabe. For both of us it was the first time we had the chance to be a part of the conference. I enjoyed getting to meet so many individuals who serve the Lord across the globe. Each of us serves at different ports and in unique ways. The exchange of ideas was both enjoyable and informative, especially for me as the new guy. Each of the people I met had a heart for the seafarer and the challenges they face. Their hearts poured out to show the love of Jesus to the men and women aboard the vessels that visit their respective ports.   One of the highlights of the trip was meeting one
Post a Comment
Read more

Anchor House Week12: Constant

I've gotten almost a week behind on my reflections from Anchor House. It seems there just isn't enough time in the day.  The way these blogs come together is different from week to week.  Some weeks God puts a message clearly on my heart. Others it feels like a struggle to put "pen to paper".   This week was one of those that I knew exactly what I'd write about. However, each day passed and I missed the opportunity. You see, I write best in the mornings. Not sure if it's the limited distractions, a product of my habit of practicing my spiritual disciplines in the morning, or something else entirely. Most of my afternoon writing is intelligible and requires numerous edits.  In the AM, however, they seem to make more sense.   What's funny is that as I am writing, I am feeling God moving.  He's moving from what I thought I was to write about to what He wants me to share. These shifts and changes are a part of the shipping industry.  Things hap
Post a Comment
Read more

King of the Jews

Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They clothed Him in a purple robe and went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped Him in the face. Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take Him and crucify Him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against Him.” The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law He must die, because He claimed to be the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus g
Post a Comment
Read more