Peter Misselbrook's Blog

Feb 20 2020 - Acts 3:1-26 – Walking and leaping and praising God

What a wonderful story Luke tells in the healing of the lame man who begged at Gate Beautiful of the Temple. As he lay there one afternoon, begging as usual, Peter and John came to the Temple to pray. He asked them for money. They had none to give, but Peter had a far better gift for him. He commanded the man, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” and, taking him by the hand, Peter helped him up.

Well, I say he helped him up, but I don’t think that any human help was necessary. No sooner had Peter spoken his words than the man’s feet and ankles (and legs also) were given strength and he jumped up. Nor did he merely walk sedately into the Temple with Peter and John. No, he was walking and leaping and praising God. What a sight he must have been, making such a spectacle of himself on such hallowed ground – enough to wake the beadles!

What struck me particularly was the exuberance of this man’s response to all that Jesus had done for him. Not surprising really after all of these years lame, never having been able to walk or perhaps even stand unaided. He was healed instantly. And more than healed for he could immediately walk and leap – rather than having to begin a process of learning to walk as does a toddler. It’s no surprise that he used all of his new-found powers in such an extravagant way. It’s no wonder that as he walked and leaped he praised God with such uninhibited fervour. What is more to be wondered at is that we, whose lives have been touched by the Lord, are so inhibited in praise and in the exercise of the power of our new life. We fear the attention of the crowds. We avoid having to give an explanation of ourselves.

As the crowds gathered to see what was going on and realised that this was the man who for years had been laid out helpless at the Temple gate, they were astonished. And this gives Peter the perfect opening for his second sermon recorded in Acts.

There is much that is remarkable about Peter’s sermon. But, in particular, he emphasises that the recent death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ are the focus of the whole of Scripture. Peter says that Moses told the people to listen to the prophets whom God would send them, and particularly to the One whom God would send. Peter adds, “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days” (Acts 3:24). You are living, says Peter, in the days when all that God promised beforehand is being fulfilled. What generations beforehand longed to see, you are now experiencing – “You are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers” (3:25). Indeed, God is now fulfilling the promise he made long ago to Abraham, “He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’”

Peter is declaring that Jesus is the one in whom the promises God made to Abraham find their fulfilment. Moses and all of the prophets pointed towards him. He is the fulfilment of all of the purposes of God. Peter concludes, “When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways” (3:26). He pleads that those who have witnessed this miracle in the powerful name of the Lord Jesus may turn to him in faith and find in him forgiveness of sins and eternal life. They are to live by him, for him and towards the coming of him whom, “Heaven must receive … until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets” (3:21).

Jesus Christ, you are the heart of the purposes of God, the centre and meaning of history. May you be the centre of my life and the power by which I live each day that you may give. May you enable me to be part of your purpose of bringing blessing to all peoples on earth.

Feb 20 2019 - Exodus 10:1-29 – Locusts and darkness

The battle between the God of Abraham and Pharaoh, king of Egypt, is approaching its crisis. God is determined to demonstrate his power through this drawn out battle so that the whole of Egypt will acknowledge that the Lord is the living God (10:2). Once more Moses goes to speak with Pharaoh. If he will not let the Israelites go, the Lord will send a great plague of locusts to cover the land of Egypt and consume what is left of their crops. One commentator, noting the dramatic description of the locusts as "something neither your parents nor your ancestors have ever seen from the day they settled in this land till now" (v.6), writes, "This locust swarm is not a mere nuisance, as the abundance of frogs was, or a painful inconvenience, as the swarm of flying insects was, but a life-endangering disaster that makes the starvation of the Egyptian people a terrible probability."

Moses' words bring the battle into Pharaoh's court. His officials have had enough and plead with him to let the Israelites go before the land is utterly ruined. But Pharaoh returns to his bargaining; the Israelite men may go into the desert to worship, but they must leave their families and possessions behind to guarantee their return. God however will not settle for half measures, his demand remains the same, "Let my people go."

Pharaoh responds angrily, "The Lord be with you – if I let you go, along with your women and children! Clearly you are bent on evil" (v10). His words make a clever and scornful play on God's name 'Yahweh', the one who is with his people. Pharaoh is saying, "If I were to let you go as you request that would indeed be proof that Yahweh is with you!" Unwittingly he speaks both truthfully and prophetically. Moses and Aaron are driven out of court.

So Egypt is filled with locusts that devour all that was left from the hail. The people of Egypt had experienced provision and blessing at the hands of an Israelite in the days of Joseph; now their opposition to the God of Israel has left them facing famine and death. Pharaoh calls for Moses, confesses that he has done wrong and pleads for the plague – 'this death' – to be removed. But when the locusts are gone he refuses to let the Israelites go.

The God of Israel is in control of the weather and the migration of insects. Nothing, great or small, is beyond his control. But it is not enough to catch a glimpse of his power or goodness and be moved for a moment with fear or love. God looks for the transformed heart and for lasting transformation of character – a work that can be accomplished only by his Spirit. How has God been at work to bring about that transformation in your own life?

The ninth plague brings a supernatural and total darkness over the land of Egypt for three days – though the Israelites, living in Goshen, continue to enjoy sunlight every day. The mighty Egyptian sun god, Amen-Ra, has no power against the God of Israel.

Pharaoh calls for Moses and tells him that all the people may go, men, women and children, but they must leave their livestock behind again to ensure their return. Moses replies that they must take their livestock with them since some will be required for an offering to the Lord. At this Pharaoh tells Moses to get out of his sight. If he appears before Pharaoh again he will be executed. Moses agrees. There will be no more negotiation. God's patience and forbearance has come to an end.

Almighty God, the gods of people's imagination are empty idols, but you are the creator of heaven and earth. The sun, moon and stars do your bidding. Nothing can withstand your power for all things were created by the power of your word. Thank you that you have shown us that it is your purpose to save; even your acts of judgment serve your saving purposes. We stand in awe of you.

Peter Misselbrook