WATCHWORD:
12 Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “Men of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why look at us as though we by our own power and godliness had made this man walk? 13 For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and of all our ancestors who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. I refer to the Jesus whom you rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s determination to release him. 14 You didn’t want him freed—this holy, righteous one. Instead you demanded the release of a murderer. 15 You killed the author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And John and I are witnesses of this fact, for after you killed him we saw him alive! Acts 3:12-15
Meditation:
Were You There?
Witness statements are critical to any important event. As we read the gospel accounts of Jesus passion, we can almost hear these eyewitness reports.
Caiaphas: “it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.” John 18:14
Judas: “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” Matthew 27:4
Peter: “I do not know the man,” followed by bitter weeping. Matthew 26:75
Pontius Pilate: “I am innocent of this man’s blood.” Matthew 27:24
The crowd: “His blood is on us and on our children!: Matthew 27:25
The Centurion: “Truly this was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:54
These witnesses were there, were you? Like Peter and Judas, we have denied and betrayed our Lord and savior Jesus. Like Caiaphas and Pilate, we have prioritized our own welfare. By grace, it is Jesus’s blood on us and our children that gives forgiveness and eternal life. So be it.
Closing Prayer:
I was there, too, Lord, as you suffered and died for me. Have mercy and forgive my sins, precious Heavenly Father. In Jesus name. Amen.
(NOTE: This devotional was written by Eileen Ritter of Byron Center, MI, for A Season of Grace, lenten devotionals for seniors.)
