There's Something You Need to Understand!
In those days Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters – the number of people who were together was about a hundred twenty – and said, “Brother and sisters, it was necessary that the Scripture be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit through the mouth of David foretold about Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” (Acts 1:15-17)
Peter went on to quote from the Psalms the very passages that foretold some things about Judas, one of their own.
What do you think made Peter pop up and plow into this explanation – and before such a large group?
As I’ve thought about it, I’m imagining that many people (including the eleven) were wondering if what happened with Judas might also happen with some of the others. Maybe they were even becoming distrustful of each other. Some may have even wondered if they could be swayed to betray Jesus themselves – wondering if there was a reward so great that might cause them to abandon the One who loved them so much.
Perhaps Peter has been hearing or overhearing some of those conversations among the group, and he wanted to clear the air and restore trust among the brothers and sisters. So he is basically saying:
Yes, you are absolutely right. Judas was indeed “one of us” – walking with us along the trails of Judea, laughing with us, eating with us, learning with us, experiencing Jesus’ miracles with us. Remember, we trusted him with the finances of our ministry! You might even be wondering why Jesus would have allowed that to happen! Well, get over yourselves – it’s not because we were naïve or missed some sign that we should have noticed. All this happened that Scripture might be fulfilled – and Jesus knew that. Now let’s quit looking at each other with distrust or even questioning our own faith. Quit wasting time! Let’s get back to the business our Lord has for us.
Perhaps we can learn a life lesson from Peter: when the time is right and God’s Holy Spirit has given you a nudge, you may need to be the one to speak up, clear up some misunderstanding, restore trust and harmony – and get back to the business our Lord has for us. Are you up for it?
By Judy Shrout
Peter went on to quote from the Psalms the very passages that foretold some things about Judas, one of their own.
What do you think made Peter pop up and plow into this explanation – and before such a large group?
As I’ve thought about it, I’m imagining that many people (including the eleven) were wondering if what happened with Judas might also happen with some of the others. Maybe they were even becoming distrustful of each other. Some may have even wondered if they could be swayed to betray Jesus themselves – wondering if there was a reward so great that might cause them to abandon the One who loved them so much.
Perhaps Peter has been hearing or overhearing some of those conversations among the group, and he wanted to clear the air and restore trust among the brothers and sisters. So he is basically saying:
Yes, you are absolutely right. Judas was indeed “one of us” – walking with us along the trails of Judea, laughing with us, eating with us, learning with us, experiencing Jesus’ miracles with us. Remember, we trusted him with the finances of our ministry! You might even be wondering why Jesus would have allowed that to happen! Well, get over yourselves – it’s not because we were naïve or missed some sign that we should have noticed. All this happened that Scripture might be fulfilled – and Jesus knew that. Now let’s quit looking at each other with distrust or even questioning our own faith. Quit wasting time! Let’s get back to the business our Lord has for us.
Perhaps we can learn a life lesson from Peter: when the time is right and God’s Holy Spirit has given you a nudge, you may need to be the one to speak up, clear up some misunderstanding, restore trust and harmony – and get back to the business our Lord has for us. Are you up for it?
By Judy Shrout
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March
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April
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