Times of Refreshing (Acts 3)
Have you ever been unable to do things for yourself? I look at Phoebe, and seeing how she goes from being helpless to scooting around blows my mind. She scooted from the living room to the bedroom this morning, looking for us. She couldn't move for the longest time and had to cry to get us to move her. That's massive progress from earlier this month.
Some of you may be in a similar situation, physically. We also feel helpless on occasion when things happen outside of our control. A loved one is sick or refusing to act right. But do we feel helpless spiritually when we sin?
The Healing
Acts 3:1--11 (ESV) --- 1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s.
I imagine that being handicapped is extremely difficult for many people today, but can you imagine losing the use of your legs back in the first century? You can't move around in a wheelchair or electric-powered cart because those weren't invented yet. We all take that for granted every day. But this man could not move at all without the help of his friends or family members. These family members or friends must have liked him because they would carry him to the temple gate daily to beg for money.
I imagine this would be a busy time for him with all of the Jews in Jerusalem for Pentecost, and they would go up to the temple at around 3 PM to pray. Among those going to the temple to pray would be a large group of brand new Jewish Christians. Christians did not stop being Jews when they submitted to Christ. Instead, they became highly devoted Jews. It says in 2:46 that they were going to the temple daily. While the temple still stands, they were still hoping to connect with God through it. Their blessings in Christ gave them renewed interest and joy as they approached the place where God's name dwells.
I wonder what the Jews thought about the man by the gate. Based on other texts in the gospels, I imagine that many Jews would look at this man and think, "He sinned, and God punished him for it." Or they might not look at him at all. Peter and John, it says, "Fixed their gaze at him." That's odd because usually, men don't look at beggars, and if they do, they try not to stare. Peter and John looked right at the man, but he would not look at them. Peter had to say, "Look at us." In this text, we don't get the impression that they were annoyed by this man or that he was proud of himself. They sought him out.
But Peter's words to this man were not what he expected. He was expecting some money or something of value. Peter said, "I have no silver and gold." Isn't that interesting? They had something much more valuable they could give him. They said, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." Who do they think they are? Are they faith healers? Jesus told the apostles they would receive whatever they asked from God (John 14:12-14). So these men were given the ability to work the same miracles that Jesus did, and they chose to demonstrate that ability at this moment and in this way. By the authority given to Peter and John, they say, "Rise up and walk."
They took him by the right hand and raised him. The text tells us that he went leaping and rejoicing into the temple while praising God and clinging to Peter and John. This drew a lot of attention; people recognized him and how Peter and John had healed him. They wanted to know how.
The Explanation
Acts 3:11--16 (ESV) --- 11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name---by faith in his name---has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
When Peter saw the vast crowd gather, he wanted to explain exactly what had happened. He asked them why they looked at him and John like they did anything. They didn't think they were great because they could do this. Isn't that interesting? He didn't say words that would glorify himself for what he had accomplished in healing the man. He wasn't looking for a pat on the back or acceptance among them. He didn't want their money. They let the people know that it happened because of their faith in the name of Jesus.
Then, Peter goes on to describe who Jesus is. God glorified Jesus by raising Him from the dead and making him the king. Jesus, the man you delivered over and denied, who you chose to crucify so that you can set a murderer free. He was Holy and Righteous, but you killed him. Peter says that Jesus was "The Author of Life." This points to his divinity. Jesus was there when creation took place. He helped create life, but you sentenced him to death. Because of Jesus, Peter and John gave this man's legs new life. Peter and John put their faith in Jesus to make this man of perfect health, and he did it.
How about that for an explanation? The apostles of Christ have performed a miracle. They didn't do it to show themselves as loved by God or as the greatest disciples. They did it to show the people that Jesus is alive and that he has been given all power and authority. He is healing from heaven through the faith of his apostles.
The Exhortation (17-21)
Acts 3:17--26 (ESV) --- 17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
After explaining that the miracle was from Jesus, Peter follows with a brief sermon. This is a shorter version of the previous sermon, and he adds additional information to it. First, he tells them that God has done what he foretold. He has let his Christ suffer. This is an apparent reference to Isaiah 53, where the Messiah is described as taking away the world's sins through tremendous suffering and being rejected by the people.
Repent
Then, he immediately calls for them to repent. If you remember, I pointed out in the last sermon that this was the main thing. Israel has always had a problem completely turning away from rebellion against God. At this time, the Jewish people thought they were righteous, but they had killed the Messiah. If they repent of their sins, their sins will be blotted out. All of the sins they have committed will be forgiven, even the murder of Jesus.
Experience Refreshing
If they repent and have their sins blotted out, "times of refreshing will come." What does this mean? To be refreshed is to be relieved of distress or burden. It's like drinking an ice-cold glass of water after working outside this past week. It brings you back to life and helps you continue. That's the kind of experience Peter is talking about when your sins are blotted out through the blood of Christ. To be refreshed is to be renewed or restored. Notice that he says "times of refreshing" will be experienced by those who repent. He doesn't say they will be refreshed once, which must be enough to last you. He talks about being refreshed like it is a continual thing. He says that the refreshing will come from the presence of the Lord.
This reminds me of Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well. He says, "The one who drinks of the water I give them will never be thirsty again." Have you experienced refreshing lately? Do we realize that is available to us all right now? We have an opportunity to experience refreshing from the presence of the Lord when we turn our hearts to him and away from the world. If your life is miserable, living in the desert of unsatisfying and empty idols, you can find relief. Jesus offers to carry your distress and burdens away from you.
Total Restoration
In the second half of verse 20, he says God will also send Christ to restore all things. A day is coming when Jesus will bless and restore all things just as the prophets foretold. This refreshing is just a sample of what is to come. The Jews were looking for more, and more has been promised. But they will have to wait for that day to come and be refreshed in the meantime.
In verses 22-24, he recounts the prophecy of Moses and the other prophets. Then, he warns those listening with the same warning Moses gave in Deut 18:15-22. If they refused to listen, God would destroy them. This Jesus fulfills every good promise made by prophets since Moses. They were talking about these days and the Messiah bringing a total restoration of the Garden of Eden. But Jesus will also fulfill the promise of judgment. If they refuse to listen, they will not receive the blessing promised to Abraham and his offspring. They must turn from their wickedness and submit to Christ.
The promised blessings are all being offered differently than people expected, but the miracles made it easy to believe that they were sent from God. Acts 4:4 reveals that many who heard this believed, and the number grew to over five thousand men and who knows how many women. The Jews accepted God's word because everything fits into place and made perfect sense.
What's The Message
In this story, we see that Peter can bring the lame man back to walking again. He can give him enough strength to leap all over the temple grounds. Is that supposed to empower every Christian to heal "in Jesus' name?" I don't think that is the point of this text. Peter and John had been given this power as a sign for all to see. But Jesus is why we ought to have faith that our prayers for healing are heard. It shows Peter and John being given that ability as Jesus promised them in John 14.
This miracle is a sign to all that God is speaking through these men and illustrates to everyone what Jesus can do to their spirits. Those in Jerusalem can also be strengthened and renewed. Their sins will be blotted out, and refreshing will come from the presence of the Lord. All they need to do is repent and turn away from their sinful lifestyles. They would also need to confess their faith, fully submit to God and his Messiah, and be baptized for the forgiveness of sin. Luke doesn't include that information in this part of Peter's sermon. He made it clear enough in Chapter 2.
This text also reveals that the time of restoring all things will happen when Jesus comes back. His coming is commonly associated with the judgment of Jerusalem and the world, but here we see that there is a restoration that will happen. "All things" will be restored as the prophets foretold. The desert will become a fruitful field. The people will be safe from harm and free to worship God daily because they will have abundant prosperity, peace, and joy in their hearts. God will even sing over them and comfort them.
Do You Need Refreshing?
Have you been limping through life, trying to find the strength to go on? Maybe you haven't found Christ and are trying to make the best of things. I know that the world trains us to justify our sins, but consider that the wicked things you have done were not okay. Understand that God judges based on what is truly good and what is truly evil. He doesn't compare my sin with everyone else's and say, "At least you're not a murderer." If you are a liar, you have become guilty of sin. No amount of good deeds will justify that sin. You are lame and unable to do anything to help your situation, but Jesus can give you the strength you need.
Are you a Christian who feels miserable because of your own inability to progress and become what you know God wants you to be? You know that Jesus died for you, but you haven't been able to shake off the world's influence, and now you feel just as dead as you've ever felt. It's time to seek refreshing from the presence of the Lord.
Jesus told the woman at the well, "All who thirst can come to me and drink of the life-giving stream. They will never thirst again." Christ will refresh their souls. Jesus is the Savior of the World, and he offers you what no one else can. He promises to blot out all of your sins so that you can live unburdened by sin and guilt. Trying to do good deeds to balance the scales is like trying to drink salt water to help you when you are dying of thirst. What we all need is water that is pure and life-giving. We need the refreshing that comes from above.
All he requires from you is to commit to a life of submission. He offers you freedom from sin and condemnation but requires your heart to become obedient. He calls for all of us to repent and turn from wickedness. This is the hardest part of coming to Christ.
If you aren't yet a Christian, that covenant is sealed in baptism, and we are God's children from then on. Our sins are blotted out so long as we live for him. If we go back to sinning willfully, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sin but an expectation of judgment. Christians, remember the covenant relationship you are in and renew your love. Pray to God for refreshing and believe he will faithfully provide what you need. Then, leap for joy at the renewal you experience. God is faithful and good. Also, believe that the prophecy of God restoring all things to the Garden of Eden will take place and live for that day.
Conclusion
The prophets foretold that God would send a Messiah to suffer for us, serve us, and save us. He has delivered on his promise. Now he promises to refresh those who submit until Jesus returns and brings a total restoration for those who love him. He chooses to adopt all who submit and to bless them for eternity. He doesn't do that because they are worthy. He does that because that's who He is. He is abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. God is love.