Getting a Second Chance

“Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.’ And he took him by the right hand, and lifted [him] up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.” - Acts 3:6-7 KJV

Have you ever wondered about this guy’s backstory?

I love to read about this miracle in Acts 3 for a couple of reasons. First, the healing of this lame man is the first miracle recorded after Jesus ascended into heaven. This event lets everyone know that the days of healing and miracles did not leave when Jesus ascended.

Second, it is the backstory on this guy that I really like. We can extrapolate a few things from the text about this lame man:

• He was lame from birth.
• He was at the gate every day to beg.
• He was vocal in his request.
• He had been around long enough that “all the people” recognized him. He was a fixture at the temple gate.

Now here is the part that I really, really like.

If we roll the clock back about two months we find ourselves in the middle of Matthew 21. In this passage (which occurs just a few days before the crucifixion) Jesus destroys the money-changers operation in the Temple and declares the money changers to be “thieves”. Then something really wonderful happens:

“And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.” - Matthew 21:14 KJV

This leaves me to wonder, why wasn’t the guy of Acts 3 healed in Matthew 21?

Well, there is no way to know all of the particulars really, but one thing is sure - he didn’t come to Jesus. I don’t know why, but here are some possibilities:

• Maybe he wasn’t there that day.
• Maybe he didn’t understand it was Jesus in the Temple.
• Maybe his beggar buddies all went in and left him alone at the best begging seat at the gate.
• Maybe those going into the Temple were particularly generous that day and he hated to lose revenue.
• Maybe he was crawling around for loose change after Jesus knocked over the tables.
• Maybe he thought he’d seek Jesus the next time he saw him.

One thing is sure, the next morning there were a lot fewer beggars at the gate. This guy may have even been sitting there alone. And then, Jesus was gone. The crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension soon followed. The opportunity was lost.

It seems to me that when we see him up close and personal in Acts 3, he is a bit forlorn. Maybe that is why the man seems to see Peter and John but doesn’t really “look” at them until Peter tells him to do so. Maybe he is still mourning a lost opportunity.

Ah, but a Spirit-filled believer with a mandate from Jesus approaches him! This time he paid attention, and this time he got to stand and walk and run and leap. He got a second chance, and he took it.

We live in a world filled with broken people, broken dreams and dashed hopes. Sometimes the broken will take the initiative and come to Jesus, but, really, our mandate is to take Jesus to the broken.

The truth is, most of us, like this fellow, have probably mourned a lost opportunity.Jesus was there to meet the need and, for whatever reason, we were too distracted to see it through. I have good news for you, Jesus gives second chances. So if you feel like you’ve blown it, don’t give up. Instead, fix your gaze on Jesus, repent of your distraction and wait for God’s timing. He will bring your answer around again.

Have a great week! 

-Tony

LESSON : It Still Matters (The Bible).

It Still Matters.

The relevance of God's Word.

Lesson by Tony Thomas

Jesus said:

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." [Mat 5:17-20 KJV]

The connection between the Old and New Testaments.

The phrase “it is written” occurs 26 times in the gospels and a total of 63 times in the New Testament. The New Testament makes reference to “the scriptures” (meaning the Old Testament) 21 times, and there are many direct and indirect quotes throughout the New Testament.¹

Question: Does the Old Testament (Covenant) predict the New?²

Question: Does Jesus address the coming of a “New Testament”? ³

Question: How did other New Testament writers see the difference between the Testaments?⁴ Are they competing or complementary?

Question: Why is the New Testament necessary?⁵

The value and function of the Old Testament.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. [2Ti 2:15-19 KJV]

Question: Should Christians study the Old Testament? Why or why not.⁶

Question: Who is the “author” of the Bible?

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” [2 Peter 1:20,21KJV]

Question: What is the function of the Old Testament, in New Testament times?⁷

The value and function of the New Testament.

Question: Did the New Testament writers recognize that scripture was being written in their time?

Case Study: Peter commenting on Paul

Even though Peter and Paul had distinct ministries that on at least one occasion brought them into conflict⁸, Peter regards Paul's writings to be “scripture”. He writes:

15 And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. - 2 Peter 3:15-16 KJV

Case Study: Paul's quotation of “scripture”.

In 1 Timothy 5:18, Paul makes a quotation from “scripture” that borrows from both the writings of Moses and the Luke's Gospel.

18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn⁹. And, The labourer [is] worthy of his reward.¹⁰ - 1 Timothy 5:18 KJV

Question: Did Jesus indicate that the Apostles would receive special Divine instruction after his departure?

26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. - John 14:26 KJV

Question: How does one gain “greatness” in the Kingdom of Heaven? (Refer back to Matthew 5:19).

To continue to the next lesson, click HERE.

Endnotes:

1In the KJV. Specific wording in other versions may vary, but the idea is the same.

2 Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 8:6-8.

3Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20, 1Corinthians 11:25

42 Corinthians 3:6, Hebrews 9:15

5Hebrews 10:1

6John 5:39, Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:15

7Romans 16:25,26; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4

8Galatians 2:12-14

9Deuteronomy 25:4

10Luke 10:7

Counting Fish

Maybe it is an insight into men.
Maybe it is an insight in people.
Maybe it’s just a little insight into Simon Peter.

Take a look at John 21 where Peter & Co. go on their famous all-nighter fishing trip.  We read in verse 11 that Peter “dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three” [nkjv]. 

Whoa!  I’m not amazed at the catch, I am amazed at the disciples.  Here stands the resurrected Lord on the shore. He has directed them to a miraculous catch. He has prepared for them a miraculous meal, and yet they stop to count the fish! Now 153 large fish in a single cast is quite a fish story but does it compare to standing in the presence of the resurrected Lord?

My amazement at Peter is tempered however, by my conscience.  Have I ever turned away from the  presence of my Savior to gaze in wonder at his blessings?

I supposed we all have things we love.
Maybe it is a dream home.
Maybe it is a dream job.

Peter loved the smell of the sea, the sound of the waves and the feel of the deck beneath his feet. He loved to see the dawn arrive above the watery horizon.

Maybe this gives us a little insight into Jesus’ question to Peter, “do you love me more than these?” He had appeared on the shore and directed the catch. He had fixed breakfast (if you’ve ever fixed fish at dawn on a creek bank you know the smell is heavenly)  and yet Peter stops, turns around and counts the fish.

How easy it is for us to gaze in wonder at our blessings and neglect the Savior who gave them to us in the first place!

You Can Do More Than You Think You Can

Ever had a day that just wouldn't end? So did Jesus.

Recorded in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) is an account of one of the longest days in the Life of our Savior and his disciples. This day is so significant that it is recorded in all four gospels. Each writer illuminates different facets of the story, but it is the same story. It is a day of triumph and sorrow. It is a day of hunger and abundance. It is a day in which a little failure might have been seen as a big relief.

Here is the background to this very long day:

 John the Baptist is in prison...

    At this point in his ministry, Jesus popularity is growing, but his cousin John has been imprisoned  for several months by the local head honcho, Herod Antipas. In his prison on the shores of the Dead Sea, John has heard great things about Jesus from his disciples. Just days before this day John had sent two of his disciples to Jesus asking him to verify that he was in fact the Messiah, and they had returned to confirm this truth to John.

 Jesus' own disciples are on their way back to him...  

   Before we can really appreciate this day, we must also know that Jesus had recently sent his disciples on an evangelistic mission around the towns and villages of Galilee. This is the day they would return.

How the long day begins...

Notice of John’s death…and Herod’s interest

    As dawn breaks on this day, Jesus is awakened perhaps by the running feet of John’s disciples. John has been beheaded and his corpse mistreated. Furthermore, Herod is interested in Jesus now. John’s imprisonment had taken place about seventy miles due south of where Jesus was. It is possible John's disciples with the question did not make it back to the prison before his execution.  Jesus begins to grieve for his forerunner.

News of successful evangelism...

   Just then his own disciples arrive with joyous news about the success of their missionary foray. Stories of evangelistic preaching and miracles abound. They decide to make breakfast. 

Then, the crowds arrive. They are pounding on the door. They are crowding in.

Solitude sought...

   Jesus commands that they row out of town to a stretch of abandoned shoreline. The crowds figure them out and beat them to the location.

Extemporaneous ministry...

    Jesus teaches and heals the multitude all day long.

Hunger and exhaustion...

    As evening approaches the disciples plead with the Lord to send the crowds away that they may go buy food. Luke records it by saying, “And when the day began to wear away…” Luke 9:12.

Vision-less disciples and catering...

    Jesus then tells his cadre of miracle working evangelist, “You feed them”… and they grab their wallets in dismay. (I’m paraphrasing here) “Lord it would take $20,000 to feed this bunch. We don’t have that kind of cash.”

    One disciple, Andrew, finds a boy with five biscuits and a couple of  sardines. Whatever the disciples planned to eat on their original picnic outing is now missing.

    Jesus blesses and multiplies the loaves and fish.

    The disciples now get to play waiter to 5000+ people.

    Then they get to play busboy to 5000+ people. They collect 12 baskets of leftovers.

Bed is an hour away...

    Jesus then commands his disciples to make a five mile journey in their ship while he dismisses the crowd. The disciples leave.

The kingmaker crowd...

    The crowd turns kingmaker and wants to force Jesus to be king. He retreats up the mountain to pray.

Jesus sees the disciples toiling on the lake as the sun goes down...

    As dark settles in Jesus can see the disciples a good distance from shore battling a head wind. He prays all night while they toil in the sea.

Jesus bails them out at dawn...

    Sometime between 3am and 6am he walks past them on the sea. They get scared. Jesus calls out. Peter gets bold. With the Lord’s permission he walks on water, then sinks, then walks back to the boat just in time to get off again.

And then it all starts all over again

   The disciples beach the boat as day breaks and the crowds begin to form again as the locals realize who has shown up. Later in the day, the folks from yesterday will show up as well.

Lesson we can learn from this very long day:

1. Perfection is the enemy of ministry. God did not call us to be perfect. He called us to be obedient. We cannot make the ministry failure-proof and be effective.
2. When the Vision is from the Lord, money is of no consequence. Jesus can turn a sack lunch into a catered fish fry.
3. Leftovers taste pretty good at 3am. I am quite certain that the disciples didn’t make it to the far shore with twelve baskets of fish and bread. The memory of the miraculous will sustain us in when battle headwinds.
4. Sometimes we row against the head wind. Just because we are battling the headwinds doesn’t mean Jesus isn’t watching. He is on the mountain interceding on our behalf.
5. Jesus calls “come” to the bleary eyed and exhausted. You will not be pretty in the hour of your greatest faith, and your not likely to walk on water when you are thinking straight.
6. Its okay to approach the work of the Lord with a plan, but once contact is made minister to the needs that present themselves. Jesus can “mess up” your day anytime he wants.
7.  The end is only the beginning. They returned for rest only to find the real work beginning. Your job in the kingdom of God may change, but it never ends.
8. You can do more than you think you can.

"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious!" -Vince Lombardi

[If you want to read about Jesus' "very long day"  you can do so in these passages in the Bible Matthew 14, Mark 6:30-37, Luke 9, John 6]