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

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Right In Front of Me

There is one character in the story of the night of Jesus' arrest that sticks out. He seems insignificant to what is happening. He’s almost an interruption in the story. He is only mentioned by name in one of the four gospels, even though the description of what occurred is in all four gospels.  Malchus is his name. He works for the people who want Jesus dead. His job, with his compadres, is to seize Jesus and bring him back to the high priest. There he would be subject to questioning, a trial of sorts.  As Malchus and his posse are approaching, Peter takes action to protect Jesus. “With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear” (Matthew 26:51). Jesus immediately tells Peter and the rest of his disciples to stop with the violence.  I wonder what Malchus thought at this point. I imagine his was in shock, I would guess he was surprised. He had just been attacked and surely is bleeding ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Glow Differently

I saw this quote recently, “You glow differently when your confidence is fueled by belief in yourself instead of validation from others.” I found myself wrestling with it. I completely agree with the concept that the validation of my worth is not established by the thoughts of others. While I think a positive self image is important, I do not think that it is what really makes me “glow differently.” I hope I glow differently because of whom I believe in, rather than what I believe of myself.  The author of Titus says, “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7) . Love and kindness entered the world in the form of a m...
Post a Comment
Read more

Grits

This past Saturday I got the chance to catch up with my friend at breakfast. We connected months ago over grits, of all things. I learned he really didn't care for grits. Turns out his parents used to make him eat them quite often and in many forms. As he has grown older he's made the conscious decision, he's had enough grits for a lifetime. On the other hand, I really enjoy grits. They are a wonderful breakfast food with butter, salt, and pepper. For dinner, you can't beat some good shrimp and grits. I have a recipe for jambalaya grits that will put a smile on anyone's face. It is like jambalaya meets cheese grits. Yum! My friend and I joke about grits everytime we see each other. I offer him some and he politely refuses. Of course, I respect his wishes and don't give him any grits. How do you offer someone grits? Do you insist they eat and like them because you eat them? Do you put them on their plate anyway? Do you treat them differently bec...
Post a Comment
Read more