The Explosion of Power

Bible Study

Acts 2:38 ESV; John 21:15-19 MSG

One of the most striking elements of today’s first scripture passage is the person who spoke the words.

In Acts 2:38 we are told, “Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Peter.

Peter the disciple.

Peter, the disciple who emotionally ran and denied knowing Jesus three times.

Now after the resurrection that same Peter who denied knowing Jesus and being one of his disciples boldly spoke to the crowds who came to repent and be saved.

So…what happened?

Did Jesus have words with Peter and tell him he needed to ‘get onboard with the plan’?

No. That was not Jesus’ way of the new order.

As a matter of fact, after Jesus was raised from the dead he had a very different conversation with Peter.

In John 21:15-19 this is what happened,

“After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Master, you know I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

He then asked a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Master, you know I love you.”

Jesus said, “Shepherd my sheep.”

Then he said it a third time: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, “Do you love me?” so he answered, “Master, you know everything there is to know. You’ve got to know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. I’m telling you the very truth now: When you were young you dressed yourself and went wherever you wished, but when you get old you’ll have to stretch out your hands while someone else dresses you and takes you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to hint at the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And then he commanded, “Follow me.”

Jesus reminded Peter about the true purpose of the Kingdom of God.

He asked Peter three times…three very symbolic times if he loved Jesus. And each time Peter answers he did love Jesus.

Then Jesus told him three times, then “feed my sheep.”

It was a pivotal conversation.

The three had multiple meanings.

First, was forgiveness for each time Peter denied Jesus. Jesus was fully forgiving Peter.

Then Jesus was calling and commissioning Peter three complete symbolic times to pastoral leadership in the new church.

A third time Jesus was calling all believers, as if to say to everyone…’Hear this’ all believers through the ages are expressing their love for Jesus every time they selflessly serve the lambs who will come.

That’s where we come in.

Every time through all the ages a believer serves the needy, they came because they were expressing their love for Jesus to those who come.

Then in the power of the Holy Spirit those who serve are experiencing and expressing their love for Jesus through their acts of service.

The size and scope of the act of service does not matter. Every time we help someone in the name of Jesus, we are feeding them in the mighty name the love of Jesus.

We cannot do that by our own power. By the power of the Spirit of God those who are being fed are receiving the love of Jesus.

It seems strange to me that over two thousand years later we sometimes forget the enormous power at work in the world today. We may not feel it, but the power is at work.

We do not seek the power or even think about the power, but when we speak encouraging words to another, the power is at work. When we serve a meal to another in need the power is at work. When we clothe someone in need the power is at work.

As we celebrate the beginning of another year for the 2026th time, the power of serving another is still at work in and through us.

Without seeking the power, it is there. Always there.

Every time.

I don’t know about you, but I find that incredibly miraculous!

Deborah

acrazyjourney.com