Kindred: The Cost of Loving JesusSample

Peter’s single act of obedience in healing the lame man set off a chain of events that Peter could never have anticipated. Many, many people gathered when the crippled man was healed. Peter took that opportunity to share the Gospel with the entire crowd. The religious rulers of the day caught wind of it and came to listen to him. What they heard made them very angry, so they arrested Peter and John and put them in prison. 

Remember, Jesus had already told Peter that he would be killed for obeying Jesus. Peter must have been scared, but he chose to follow through in obedience anyway. His choice proved transformation by the power of the Holy Spirit in response to his faith in the Gospel he preached. 

The religious leaders ended up releasing Peter and John. They couldn’t kill them because the people were worked up about the miracle that Peter had performed. Instead, they told the men not to talk about Jesus anymore. Peter and John said that they couldn’t agree to that. 

They went back to report all that had happened to the rest of Jesus’ followers, and they were empowered and encouraged as well. Following Peter and John’s lead, they spoke the Gospel boldly. All of this good stuff happened as a result of one small act of obedience on Peter’s part—scared, but devoted Peter—who was looking for opportunities to prove his love for Jesus. 

Thank God for using your small efforts to accomplish great things.