DAILY READING
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REFLECTION
Questioned for Doing Good
by David Thompson
Did you notice that Jesus' disciples were following in His footsteps? They did good for the lame man and they were questioned negatively by the rulers and the elders; just like Jesus. The only thing they didn't do to sort of "pile on" was to do the healing on the Sabbath Day. It is interesting as we read about Jesus doing miracles, how many times His recorded miracles were done on the Sabbath. Be assured that He healed and did miracles every day of the week, but the Pharisees and religious leaders were only really highlighted for their responses when they questioned Him for healing on the Sabbath (Mark 2:27 and Mark 3:1-6, for example).
So it came as no surprise that Peter would be scrutinized for his healing of the lame man. The scripture tells us that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and this helped him be bold in dealing with the people in this story. His boldness was really evident when he told the rulers and elders that, "It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed." I am sure there was some nervous shuffling of Jewish feet at these words. But Peter didn't stop there. He continued and stated, "Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Peter straight up tells all who would listen that salvation can only come to a person through the name of Jesus. He emphasized this again by stating that there is no other name given to mankind that can save us. This is true today as it was two thousand years ago. We can be assured that the same Holy Spirit and name of Jesus are as powerful today as they were then. When we have a tough chore to accomplish we can pray that the Lord will give us the words to speak, and He will.
PRAYER
Jesus, help us to confidently proclaim your saving name to all that come our way. You are the only one that can save a person and we need to have an amount of urgency in our actions as we meet people today and this week. Thank you so much for saving our souls.
Amen
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