Times of Refreshing from His Presence.

A most remarkable offer of grace was given to the very people who misjudged and executed Jesus. In Peter’s second “sermon” in the Temple following Pentecost, he responds to the startled crowd’s reaction to the lame man now joyously bouncing around before them all.

Peter is very direct on the truth of the resurrection of Jesus as the miracle of God’s grace to us all, even to those who assented to His crucifixion. He sermon has an indisputable “Illustration” in it – the leaping lamb man! Here’s what he said:

Acts 3:14-16. 14 ". . . You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. 16 And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.”

What do you imagine with the reaction of the crowd at hearing these words and seeing this evidence? The looks on their faces must have been stark. Anger, disbelieving, stunned, embarrassed, shocked, . . . you may add to this list. Peter, however, was there hoping to see any heart open to the victory of the resurrection, who could be challenged to turn in faith the Christ. He gave the most gracious invitation to sinners we will ever find spoken:

Acts 3:17-19. 17 "And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. 18 But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”

Peter softens the severity of the moment by acknowledging their ignorance. However, their ignorance was no excuse because the Word of God had already prophetically told of the suffering of Christ. God’s redemptive purposes were fulfilled, and the acceptance of the death of Jesus as the sin payment for mankind was accepted, as witnessed by the bodily resurrection of the Son of God.

So, some broken-hearted listeners to Peter would be crying out in the depth of their souls, “What can I do? I’m guilty!” Peter gives the invitation. On the basis of the completed work of Jesus on the cross, in fulfillment of the foretold plan of God, Peter directs the to “repent and return.” Turn around and come back. Believe God’s plan disclosed in His Word. The resurrected Savior stands ready to embrace, to forgive, to welcome, and to begin a friendship relationship of unfolding blessing each new day.

Peter calls this walk with the risen Savior “. . . times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.” His presence will be a reality, the on-going effect of which is “refreshing.” With each new and growing experience of the freshness of the abiding presence, we will experience . . . more of His fullness.

Today is Resurrection Sunday, 2021. May you and your family experience a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.