1.
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
2.
And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
3.
Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4.
And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5.
And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6.
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7.
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength.
8.
And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9.
And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
10.
And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
11.
And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.
12.
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
13.
The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
14.
But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
THE VICTORY OF GOODNESS
‘The Holy and Righteous One.’
Acts 3:14 (R.V.)
It is when we look back that we understand. Never can that have been more true than it was with Jesus’ disciples after His Resurrection. To put it shortly, Christ’s Resurrection was a great victory, as His Death had seemed to be a great defeat. The one reversed the other.
What was it we have to ask which won when Christ rose? What was it which His victory stamped, as with God’s own seal with true gold?
I think the first answer which the disciples would have made would have been—‘ goodness.’ The battle had been fought between good and evil, and the good had won; and now, looking back to Christ’s life and to His death, they saw in these the glory of goodness, or how worth while it is to be good.
The goodness of Jesus Christ, can we speak more particularly about it?
I. It was a perfect and shining goodness.—We know the difference between what is first-rate in any business and what, though it is good, has no first-rateness. First-rate work is its own evidence. A first-rate speaker can command any audience, when a moderately good one will not get a hearing. And so it is with character.
II. More than this, it is plainly the chief thing in Jesus.—People are known by their strong points: one for his cleverness, another for his wit, a third for his bravery, and so on. But beyond all doubt the note of Jesus was goodness.
III. But there is an idea that goodness is dull; that it is a tame or pale thing; that it wants relish and flavour. Now, to think such things of Jesus would not be so much irreverent, as utterly dull and foolish. Goodness in Him had a keenness like the edge of the finest blade; it had a glow like fire; it held men like a spell; the lowly bearing and the quiet speech could not hide the force and intensity below. No life ever meant so much, was so full of meaning.
IV. And if still we try to get the secret of this goodness, we find this, that in Him goodness was not thinking of itself.—In Him goodness did not compare itself with others in order to make their faults show up; it simply sought to be like God, and do His will, and sought an opportunity to bring every one to do the same, waking up the goodness in them; even in those who had been very bad.
Has goodness in us any likeness to what it had in Him?
Bishop E. S. Talbot.
Illustration
‘Goodness with many of us is a thing of certain times and places. We are good, perhaps, at home, but not consistent when we get among other men and their ways; or well conducted in public, and on show, but not in private, when our tempers and the truth of us are seen. But true goodness is of one piece; one spirit runs through it all; it goes with a man everywhere. Such was the goodness of Christ.’
15.
And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
16.
And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
17.
And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
18.
But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
19.
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
20.
And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
21.
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
22.
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
23.
And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
24.
Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
25.
Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
26.
Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.