I wonder what the writer felt when he penned the activity and emotions taking place in Acts 3 and 4.
I do know the story there is written in a way so compelling that my own heart is drawn into it, making me wish I had been there to experience it for myself.
I feel the energy and the focus, the single-minded pursuit of a way of life I wish could be said of me…
It’s the story of Peter and John healing the crippled man.
It’s the story of brave apostles who were called before the Council. Familiar names from Jesus’ day surface, names like Annas, Caiaphas, etc.
It’s the story of simple, ordinary men with no special training who speak up on behalf of Jesus.
It’s the story of a frustrated group of religious leaders whose hands are tied because they are afraid of a riot among the people.
It’s the story of believers calling on the God of creation and the God of their fathers, asking Him not for protection and safety, but for boldness in preaching the message of Jesus.
It’s the story of God answering that prayer.
And it’s the story of ordinary people who were living and working and giving and sharing- a people united in heart and mind.
All because of Jesus.
The story feels peaceful. It feels selfless and caring. It feels restful. It feels joyful and pure.
It feels like level ground.
It feels like power and like Holy Spirit strength.
It feels like love. It feels perfect.
It feels like Jesus.
I don’t want to read any further. I don’t want anything to mar the beauty of the picture created on these pages.
I don’t want anything to disturb the peace and the joy of the believers.
I want to hold off the ugliness of the sinful, human heart.
I want to bask in the peaceful perfection of the moment, so I won’t read any further.
Because I already know what’s coming in the next chapter…
Days pass and I reluctantly leave the beautiful story of Acts 3 and 4 behind, but I can’t forget what my heart felt in that account.
Then one day in my reading, I find a new verse that takes me right back to those first days of the almost heavenly existence of the brand-new Church of Jesus.
The same Peter who was so instrumental in the building of the church, who impressed me with his courage and zeal, is an older man now. He is still encouraging believers to be faithful, even if sin has tainted some and others are starting to lose hope in the fact that Jesus is coming back like he said he would.
And he pens the words that capture my attention and make me remember the days recorded in Acts 3 and 4.
“But we are looking forward to the new heavens and the new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:13
I wonder, does Peter remember too? Does he stop and swipe his cheek with the feather of his quill pen, eyes glazing over as he remembers the early days when the hearts of the believers were so willing to embrace Jesus? To live, and work, to give and share, to ask for boldness in the enduring rather than protection and safety?
Maybe, because he goes on to instruct them on what to do until that day comes and it sounds a lot like how they lived in the beginning.
“And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.” v. 14
The advice of Peter is not just for “them.” It is a call to action for me also. And it brings with it a promise.
Someday, we will live in a new earth; one with an atmosphere that is even better than the one in the beginning of Acts.
But until then…
I ponder his words and the application of them.
Don’t just exist. Make every effort to really live.
Be Pure. Peaceful. Blameless.
A familiar stirring begins again in my soul.
This feels like Jesus too.