Acts 7:1-53 Stephen's Speech

Stephens’ Speech is an indictment against Israel and its leaders. He calls them stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, always resisting the Holy Spirit, following in the footsteps of their fathers. He summarizes the history of the nation to point out how they have rebelled against God throughout all that time and continue to do so still.

Stephen recaps Abraham’s call and covenant with God highlighting the promises of land and a people. The rebellion of the patriarchs began in Joseph’s days. They were jealous of Joseph and disregarded his dreams selling him as a slave, but God was with him. After the mighty rescue of Jacob and his household by the hand of Joseph, they were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years.

God then raised Moses to liberate his people from slavery, but the Israelites also rebelled against him on several occasions. Stephen points out that Moses tried to intervene in a dispute between an Egyptian and an Israelite killing the Egyptian, but they “thrust him aside” not understanding that God was giving them salvation by his hand. Moses fled and God called him again from a bush and sent him back to Egypt. Still, the people rejected his leadership and committed idolatry turning back to Egypt in their own hearts after experiencing signs and wonders by his hand. It was Moses who prophesied that God would raise a Prophet from among them, referring to Jesus Christ.

Stephen continues his historical tracing of Israel’s steps pointing out that Joshua brought the people into the promised land carrying the ark of the presence as God drove the nations before them until the days of David and Solomon who built a temple for God, despite the fact that he does not dwell in buildings. But after that, prophet after prophet, had been killed for announcing the coming of the Righteous One, whom they betrayed and murdered - referring to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. They had been given the law and they did not keep it!

Again, I admire Stephen for knowing his history well. He also knows his theology well. He understands the fulfillment of God’s purposes throughout time and is able to point that out to his people. His message is Christ-centered, though an indictment against his people. He does not miss out on the fact that Christ is the One they were expecting since Abraham’s days.

How many times have I rebelled against my God if I were to review my own personal history? How many times have I acted as a stiff-necked, uncircumcised in heart and ears person resisting the Holy Spirit? When I read the story of Israel it is as if I am reading the story of my own rebellion against God.

Father, circumcise my heart and ears so that I may stop resisting your Holy Spirit. May I obey you in all your ways. May Christ be the center of my whole life today and forevermore. Amen.

Acts 3:11-26 Peter Speaks in Solomon's Portico

People were astounded by the healing of the lame beggar and they gathered around Peter and John. Peter addressed the crowd to let them know that the miracle was not performed by their power or piety, but by Jesus Christ who resurrected from the dead. Peter accuses them of his death because they delivered him to Pilate and declares the miracle a work of his hand by faith in his name. Faith requires an object. It cannot be faith for the sake of believing something. For it to be genuine faith, it must be in Jesus. Jesus is the object of our faith, trust, and obedience.

Christianity boils down to who I believe Jesus to be. Is he the son of a carpenter and a good man? Is he a prophet with powers to heal? Is he a peaceful martyr willing to give his life to appease the political powers of the day? Is he a political figure who promised better days? Is he a prophet willing to denounce the Scribes and Pharisees? Is he a wise teacher who understands the Law like no one else? All these things may be true, but they don't make him the object of my faith. Peter calls him the Holy and Righteous One, the Author of Life, the resurrected and glorified Son of God. Do I believe this?

Peter explains that God foretold by the mouth of the prophets Christ's suffering and death. But the crowd's ignorance is no excuse - they stand guilty! He calls them to repentance so that they may receive forgiveness, refreshment, and the future restoration of all things. God is sovereign because he foretold what needed to take place, but human responsibility is not excused at all. Repentance is the remedy for such a rebellion. I can't forget that the reason Christ came into the world was to offer himself as a sacrifice for my sins. His death is upon me as much as it is upon the Romans and Jews of the day. God is sovereign, but I must repent!

Peter points out that this Jesus is the one Moses, and Samuel and all the prophets spoke about. He particularly reminds the people of the covenant God cut with Abraham with the promise: "In your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Jesus is that offspring and God began to bless the families of the earth by sending Jesus to the Jews first, and then the rest of the world. The blessing, Peter explains, is turning you from your wickedness. My wickedness is my desire to live my life my way turning my back on God and his ways. God calls me to repentance so that I may turn to him and live by his commands.

Father, enable me to make your Son the object of my faith. May I never hide behind your sovereignty as an excuse to evade my responsibility. Give me a repentant heart and a strong belief in your word spoken by the prophets.

Matthew 17:1-13 The Transfiguration

Jesus' transfiguration was a vision, a supernatural apparition. In the vision, Jesus shines like the light - clothes and face. With him appear Moses and Elijah, iconic figures for the Law and the Prophets. A voice from a cloud declares: "This is my son in whom I am well pleased." The disciples heard this voice and this message before at Jesus' baptism. But this time, the voice adds: "Listen to him!" 

Jesus chose Peter, James, and John to experience his transfiguration. They were his inner circle. However, they have been struggling to understand Jesus' identity and plan. Peter's initial reaction to the experience is one of pleasure and a desire to camp out on the high mountain (places of worship were high places). The voice from the clouds interrupts Peter's proposal and instructs him to listen as to say: "Shut up! Listen to Jesus!"

The voice terrifies the disciples and they fall on their faces (a worship pose). It seems they closed their eyes until Jesus came to comfort them. The Law and the Prophets pointed to the Messiah. The vision exalted Jesus above them to highlight the centrality of his person in God's plan for humanity. God's message to the world is in Jesus only. God's love to the world is demonstrated in Jesus only. God's plan for the world is revealed in Jesus only.

Like the disciples, I am not listening. The Law and the Prophets was meant to point to Jesus. Unfortunately, it became Tradition that stood in the way of understanding Jesus. My sinful nature finds ways of twisting what God intends for good into evil. My attachment to traditions blind and bind me so I cannot see and act upon what God intends. Like Peter, I am quick to speak and slow to listen blabbering on and on about secondary issues. Then, when I am confronted with reality and the truth of God's plan, I am paralyzed by fear. Fear of what it means; fear of what it demands of me. Jesus only is all I need. I yearn for his voice calling me: "Rise, and have no fear." 

Father, may your Son be the focus of my life. May nothing distract me from him. May nothing prevent me from listening to him.