This One Thing

Wednesday: 10 April, 2013 –– Second Week in Easter

Acts 5:17–26 / John 3:16–21

This One Thing

Peter had met the risen Jesus and been filled with his Spirit. Peter was a changed man.

At Jesus’ mock trial, the “old” Peter cringed and swore his denial when confronted by a simple slave girl.  Peter’s foremost thought was saving his own neck.

Now Peter and the others had been put in prison by the same ones who brought Jesus to his death. The power of God released them in the night and gave the instruction: Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life. In other words, go right back where you were and say the things you were saying that caused you to be put in prison.

Did they run? Did they ask, “What about our safety?” Did they cautiously advise, “Maybe we should let things calm down a bit....”  Not at all.

What raised their sights beyond themselves? What was worth imprisonment and other threats? What changed Peter and the others to the extent that we ourselves can know the same change?

The Apostles had become personal witnesses of this one thing: God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but have eternal life.

Peter and the Apostles had become impassioned with This one thing I know....

May it be so with us: This one thing I know.....