Unstoppable! 'God Overcame Their Brutality' — Acts 3:13-15

Sunday, February 18, 2024

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We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

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[Peter continued,] "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 [healing this lame man]. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate's decision to release him. You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!"
— Acts 3:13-15 NLT

Key Thought

Peter addressed the crowd that gathered at the Temple to see the lame man who had been healed. He began by humbly deflecting the glory for the healing from John and himself and gave all the glory and credit to Jesus, the Messiah. In fact, Peter emphasized that God himself gave this glory to his servant Jesus. Then, Peter began a very straightforward message assigning the proper blame for the murder of Jesus to the Jewish religious and political leaders in the high council, also known as the Sanhedrin. They were undoubtedly present at the Temple because it was a designated prayer time (Acts 3:1). Peter then made sure they knew the true identity of this Jesus whom they murdered; he is God's resurrected holy and righteous author of life, Jesus the Messiah. Peter's words remind us that the rejection of Jesus is not just the rejection of the apostles' message, but of God who sent Jesus.

Today's Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for being a sacrificial servant. I confess my faith in you as my author of life. I know that you are the only one who has walked the earth as a completely holy, sinless, and righteous person. I thank you for sharing that righteousness with me and bringing me into the Father’s family, along with all of my brothers and sisters in your family. My heart breaks over the suffering and rejection you endured from your people, people you helped fashion and for whom you gave your life. I rejoice that the Father raised you victoriously from the grave. I trust my life and my future to your nail-scarred and perfected hands. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
  • Acts 2:32-36

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 3:13-15 NLT — [Peter continued,] "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 [healing this lame man]. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate's decision to release him. You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!"

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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