Scripture Reflections

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. - Acts 4:13

This verse that we heard on Sunday is an example of what Paul is describing in I Cor. 1:27-29: “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” In a humorous sense, it gives hope to all of us, because we are not the mighty, the esteemed, the wise! We may have a bit more education that Peter and John, or a bit more money, but none of us can boast of being the rich, powerful, and famous!

Paul’s reasoning is simple: God chooses the humble rather than the powerful so that we won’t be able to boast that we have accomplished it ourselves. The glory goes to God, not to us, and using humble people is God’s way of sidestepping the temptation to take credit we all feel.

Practically speaking, this means that there is no reason whatsoever to worry about our inadequacy, from God’s perspective. He isn’t remotely worried about the fact that we don’t have enough energy, money, or education for the task at hand. He isn’t worried about whether our job is good enough, our bank account full enough, or our degree prestigious enough. The world might get wrapped up in those things, tempting us to anxiety and worry, but God chose uneducated fishermen, humble women, and little children to receive his blessing and carry his news. He builds his kingdom through the unlikeliest of people.

The only thing that seems to matter to God is what the priests observed about Peter and John—they recognized that they had been with Jesus. As you look at the work before you today, as you look at the burdens of this week and month, and you feel the weight of life on your shoulders, remember the thing that God cares about—that we would seek the presence of Jesus with all of our strength! May we be a church that is characterized by the desire to be with Jesus!

In Christ,
Steven+