Teaching Jesus

Acts 3:1-16 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer – at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 11 While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.
 
AMID this great story of healing and restoration, we probably overlook Peter’s truthful preaching. Speaking to a crowd who had gathered to experience the wonders of a man’s healing, the Jews surely did not expect Peter’s convicting words: 1) You handed Jesus of Nazareth to be killed. 2) You disowned the Holy and Righteous One before Pilate. 3) Pilate wanted to free Jesus, but you insisted Jesus be crucified. 4) You released a murderer. 5) You killed the author of life.
   Most people in the crowd were probably not directly guilty of these crimes. But this is Jerusalem’s crime. It is mankind’s offensive rejection of Jesus.
   Then see that Peter preached the truth of Jesus of Nazareth. 1) Peter connects Jesus to the I Am, the Eternal God: The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has glorified his servant Jesus. 2) Peter proclaimed Jesus’ perfection: He is the Holy and Righteous One. 3) Peter taught all has come from Jesus. He is the author of life. 4) Jesus is raised from the dead. 5) Speaking Jesus’ name in faith is the source of healing.
   Pure preaching speaks the problem and the solution. The Jews’ problem throughout their history was the many times they had rejected God, his prophets and now his Son. Peter will next preach Jesus is the solution to the problem.