May We Live Lives that Reflect Jesus
Do we live our lives in such a way for Jesus that people are astonished with us? In the post “Are We Astonished with Jesus?” we looked at the gospel accounts that talked about all the amazing things Jesus did and how the people were astonished by him.
This idea of astonishment continues in the book of Acts. But here the people are astonished by what Jesus’s followers do.
Heal a Lame Man
One day Peter and John go to the temple to pray. A man who never walked lay at one of the temple entrances. He sees the two disciples and asks for money. Peter has no money to give the man, but he does share what he has. In Jesus’s name, Peter tells the lame man to walk.
The man stands and begins jumping around, praising God. All the people are astonished at what Peter and John did for the man through Jesus (Acts 3:11).
Speak with Courage
The man’s healing creates such a commotion that Peter and John get arrested for their act of kindness. The next day they’re questioned by the religious leaders.
Speaking under the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter tells them about Jesus. “Salvation comes through him and by no other.”
The religious leaders see the disciples’ courage and are astonished, noting that they are unschooled men who had spent time with Jesus (Acts 4:13).
Perform Signs and Miracles
Later, Philip goes to the city of Samaria. He tells the people about Jesus. They believe and are baptized.
A sorcerer named Simon also believes and is baptized. He follows Philip wherever he goes, astonished by the great signs and miracles he sees the apostle perform in the name of Jesus (Acts 8:13).
Preach with Power
The Pharisee Saul opposes Jesus’s followers. Saul pursues them and harasses them, even to the point of imprisonment and death. Yet in pursuit of them in Damascus, Saul has a supernatural experience with Jesus.
Saul believes in Jesus. He soon goes to the synagogue and tells others about the Messiah. The people who hear him speak with such power and conviction are astonished by his conversion and passion (Acts 9:21).
Released from Prison and Spared from Death
Throughout all this, Peter remains in Jerusalem. Herod arrests him and plans to make a public spectacle of Peter’s trial, with the intent of killing him. As Peter languishes in prison, the people pray.
The night before Peter’s trial, he’s sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains, and guarded by sentries. An angel appears and tells Peter to get up. When he does, the chains fall off. He gets dressed and walks out of the prison.
Peter goes to the home of Mary, John Mark’s mother. When the people see him, they are astonished (Acts 12:16).
Are People Astonished with Us?
Two thousand years ago, the people were astonished at what Jesus’s followers did: they had picked up their crosses and followed him (Luke 9:23).
They were empowered to do everything he had done and more (John 14:12). And they had the Holy Spirit’s power within them (Acts 2:4).
As Jesus’s followers, we can expect him to work in us now, just as he did for his followers back then. Yet are we doing all that we can for him and through him?
If Jesus lives in us and through us, people should likewise be astonished with us. But are they?
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.
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