The Author Of Life – Killed Series

Some times things are just not good. There is the picture of the man at the psychiatrist’s office and his psychiatrist puts things in layman’s terms. Your mind is like a bicycle, your pants got caught in the sprocket and the chain came off. Not good!

In Acts 3:11-26 Peter tells a crowd of people who gathered how things have gone terribly wrong. He was talking to the people who least expected to hear that. The huge crowd that gathered were the people worshipping at the temple, zealous for God. But it was not good. Maybe many of the people in that crowd were also the voices who shouted crucify him, just before Jesus died on the cross two months previously. Now Peter tells them what they have done. They killed the Author of life.

There was a very good reason that the crowd was staring in amazement that day. Peter and John were going into the temple when they passed by a crippled beggar. Peter asked that man who was over 40 years old and had been crippled his whole life to look at him. When Peter told him to look at him the crippled beggar was expecting some money. But Peter said, “Silver and gold I have not but what I do have I give you, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth walk.” (Acts 3:6) Peter took him by the hand helped him up and instantly he was healed. He jumped up walking and leaping and praising God!

The crowd gathered filled with wonder and amazement with what just happened. This man previously needed to be carried wherever he went. He was carried every day to the temple gate to beg. They all saw him often and now here he was leaping and praising God.

This miracle of healing brought in the crowd. Peter used this as an opportunity to preach the Gospel. It was a message of grace that Peter brought to the mindless masses that called for Jesus to be crucified. But why shouldn’t Peter bring such a message? Just eight weeks prior Peter himself was weeping bitterly because of denying Jesus. All this happened just walking distance from where this miracle took place. Now it is their opportunity to experience the forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

The Jews were waiting for a Messiah. He came and they did not recognize him. Worse yet they crucified him. Not good but it is also not too late to get turned around. To receive forgiveness from the very one they crucified.

It was amazing. Over one thousand people got their lives turned around that day. It did not matter if they were shouting crucify him two months back. If they would repent and turn to Christ they would know eternal life. Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

You can turn your life around too, today. Is your life a mess? The same truth, the same power of God is available today.

Peter makes it clear that this miracle is not from a power within him. It is a result of the power of God; The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This is the God who they served while at the temple. But he explained clearly how they had made a tragic mistake. Acts 3:15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.

Yes, they killed the author of life but, God raised him from the dead. Jesus is God’s servant. The awaited Messiah and God glorified him. You had him killed. You disowned him. You let a murderer be released. Peter was talking to those coming to worship at the Temple. They realized what they did wrong but they turned to God and received forgiveness. Acts 4:4 said the number grew to 5,000 who were now following Christ. In Acts chapter 2 three thousand turned to Christ and Acts 2:47 said people were turning to Christ daily so I am estimating at least a thousand saw the results of this miracle, stared in disbelief, realize their mistake and turned to Jesus.

They killed the Author of life. But God raised him from the dead. Acts 3:16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

These claims landed Peter and John in Jail, but they are the truth. This message set some people free and made some people furious. Peter claiming they are sinners responsible for crucifying the Messiah. It was not politically correct to call the religious leaders sinners.