No Big Deal - Just Obedience

Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. [Acts 3.12-13]

God had done an amazing miracle in a crippled man who had been that way 40 years. This miracle got a lot of attention and drew a crowd. Peter's response to the whole circumstance in exemplary to us today.

First, Peter had enough spiritual sense to recognize an opportunity created by the miracle. Rather than staring at the man amazed like all the others, Peter seized the opportunity to evangelize the crowds and started by explaining his apparent nonchalant posture regarding the miracle as a normal response to anything God is capable of and therefore does.

Peter was also very forthright in directing the responsibility for the miracle ONLY to God Who gave it. He pointed out the relationship of the miracle to the fact that Jesus made it all possible. Peter was clear that God was glorifying Jesus in having healed the man.

So, here is a pattern for us today. 

First, we should know God well enough to act upon His nature to forgive and heal without hesitancy. Peter and John did not have to "seek God's will" concerning the crippled man! They knew it and they acted on it! Then, when the rubber-necking started, they gave God all the glory.

Sounds like a "lived happily ever after" scenario, right?

The rest of the story is that Peter and John wound up in prison. Another miracle removed them from prison. But in every circumstance they stood by the Message of Christ regardless what opposition was raised up against them. Miracles continued to happen. Persecution continued to happen.

We should never think that one good miracle would "...show those unbelievers!" In fact, miracles only infuriate those who have set themselves against faith (religious leaders in this context as case in point).

I can see that miracles serve to confirm to true believers that they are in agreement with God. Again though, unbelievers are usually just mad about them.

As Peter was not surprised by the miracle, he was neither surprised by the religious leaders' response. Peter's example is good for us to follow too.

Father, help us to get over ourselves and simply work with what You are doing. May we approach the miraculous, not with awe and amazement, but with a humble and yet confident assurance we are serving Your purpose. May we not be surprised at the miraculous and may we not be surprised at the persecution miracles bring. So be it.