David Bahn - Reflections

The Holy Spirit was at work in those days through Peter and Paul, Barnabas and John Mark. But he’s not finished. He has worked to bring you and me to faith through the faithful witness of those who have shared the word of God with us. They shared just the right words with us. Words about Jesus. Words about God’s love and grace. Words that inspired faith. I hope to keep speaking those kinds of words whenever I can – all by the power of the Holy Spirit.

No one else prayed that the cup would pass from him (that he would not have to die for the sins of the world), and have that request denied. Either God is a cruel, evil and sadistic God if there was another way than Jesus' death, or there was no other way than Jesus' death for our redemption and salvation.

Jesus prayed that God would glorify him with the glory he had before the world was created (John 17:5).

There is no other way, no other God, no other hope than Jesus. I hope I can learn what that means each day of my life here, and I look forward to experiencing it with God in the life of the world to come.

Peter spoke truth to power. He spoke it to the powerful religious leaders of his day. I notice that it wasn’t just the high priest, but his family and a whole entourage of powerful men to whom Peter was speaking. I’d be intimidated. I’m not sure I could have stood up to these powerful men as did Peter. Sure, Peter was inclined to speak first and think later. But still…these are the power brokers of their day. They had lots of sway over the outcomes of this encounter. Yet Peter gives bold witness.

I don’t know if I’ll ever be confronted by such power, but I do know the truth. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. There is salvation in his name alone. His is the ultimate power and the purest truth.

Martin Luther wrote in his famous hymn, A Mighty Fortress, that one little word can defeat the devil. So whenever we experience opposition to the truth of God's word, we must recall the truth of the Bible, the Good News of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection. God has promised that through faith in Jesus we are justified, forgiven, holy and blameless. 

This is the word those early Christians believed. It is the word we believe and for which we give glory to God and praise to his name. 

So many ways to disbelieve - all way beyond doubt. Against that Peter speaks boldly, reminding the people then and there and us today that Jesus died, rose from the dead, and is at work in people's lives. "This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (v. 11-12).

I do sometimes doubt. Many people choose their own reasons not to believe. But the fundamental reality of Jesus' love, God's grace, and the blessings of fellowship with the redeemed centers my heart and calms my soul. This I believe without a doubt.

Miracles, by their nature, are rare. They are signs of Jesus' reign and rule. They point us to a good and gracious Father. They are testimony of the Holy Spirit's presence and influence. The next time you see a miracle, take note. Be amazed. Be thankful. Believe.

God will heal all who believe in him. He may do it miraculously – like he did with this lame man. He may do it medically: it is no less God’s doing whether it’s through means or immediately. Or he may heal us mercifully, taking us from this veil of tears into the life of the world to come. But in this case the healing was miraculous and the result is the same in any case of God’s intervening. People rejoice. God is praised. God’s gracious work in our lives is a cause for praise and joy!