But Peter, standing…
- Acts 2:14
Jesus words to Peter on the night of his betrayal and arrest: "… but when you have turned…"
This is Peter's turning.
Peter was acquainted with failure. He knew doubt; more in himself than anything else. He could be impetuous, brash and overbearing, He could be brave and gutless. He often spoke first and listened later. I think he was probably voted "disciple most likely to drop an F-bomb at an after church potluck." And the last time Peter was in a crowd, he failed.
Worse, he betrayed.
"But when you have turned…" Peter finds himself in a crowd once again. It's much like the crowd that screamed, "Crucify him!" at Pilate a little over a month before, sending Jesus to the cross of death. Sweat runs down Peter's back. His hands tremble a bit. His knees are rubber. And then... strength!
"But Peter, standing…"
The first "sermon" preached in the era of this new thing called the church, was preached by a redeemed failure, a forgiven betrayer, a turned man.
The sermon would not make it to air today. Not enough smiling; not enough "feel good about yourself." But a turned man, an empowered man spoke true words. People were changed and a movement was born.
"But Peter, standing…" I should note that Peter would fail again; in smaller ways. We all do. I am thankful the Bible doesn't gloss-over flaws. But standing for Jesus became habitual for Peter.
You? Me?
God, help me stand.
For now...
D
