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Wed, 30 May 2012 23:06:00 UTC +0100

Jesus was killed by people just like us. Thank God that's not the end of the story.

Acts 2:22-28

Wed, 30 May 2012 23:05:00 UTC +0100

The audio version of the passage is taken from the Contemporary English Version (CEV). ²² "People of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. ²³ This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. ²⁴ But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. ²⁵ David said about him:
       " 'I saw the Lord always before me.
       Because he is at my right hand,
       I will not be shaken.

²⁶ Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest in hope,

²⁷ because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
you will not let your holy one see decay.

²⁸ You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.'

Bible Background: Meet Peter

Wed, 30 May 2012 23:04:00 UTC +0100

Peter is one of those great, larger than life individuals.

● Prepared to leave his livelihood and follow Jesus without knowing where it would lead (Mark 1:16–18).

● Spending time with Jesus and seeing him at work.

● Ready to step out of the boat – only to find that he lacked the faith to proceed (Matthew 14:22–36).

● Having a deep insight into the nature of Jesus as the Son of God, but completely misunderstanding what that meant and being rebuked (Matthew 16:13–20).

● Refusing to have his feet washed and then demanding that all of him be washed (John 13:1–11).

● Waving swords in the garden and then finding himself unable to speak for Jesus when challenged by a housemaid (John 18:10,11,15–18,25–27).

He is a brash, impulsive, inconsistent, unreliable, perhaps insecure individual. But also determined, courageous, willing to try anything.

Desolated by his denial he went back to his fishing only to be met by Jesus on the beach to experience the gentle rebuilding and restoration (John 21:15–19).

His time with Jesus was life transforming. The scene on the beach was crucial but so was the filling with the Spirit at Pentecost. When he preached he did so with a new power and authority (Acts 2:1–41).

And yet the journey is still not over. He has to discover that the good news is for Gentiles too (Acts 10:1–48).

In his hope and his failure, his trust and his doubt, we meet someone we can identify with. The way in which Jesus forgives and restores him reassures us. Seeing him empowered by the Spirit gives us hope.

John Grayston