Acts 4:
5 The next day, the people’s rulers, elders and Torah-teachers assembled in Yerushalayim, 6 along with ‘Anan the cohen hagadol, Kayafa, Yochanan, Alexander and the other men from the family of the cohen hagadol. 7 They had the emissaries stand before them and asked, “By what power or in what name did you do this?”
8 Then Kefa, filled with the Ruach HaKodesh, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being examined today about a good deed done for a disabled person, if you want to know how he was restored to health, 10 then let it be known to you and to all the people of Isra’el that it is in the name of the Messiah, Yeshua from Natzeret, whom you had executed on a stake as a criminal but whom God has raised from the dead, that this man stands before you perfectly healed.
11 “This Yeshua is the stone rejected by you builders which has become the cornerstone.[
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Acts 4:11 Psalm 118:22
] 12 There is salvation in no one else! For there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by whom we must be saved!” (Complete Jewish Bible).Something inside of Peter changed when the reality of Jesus' resurrection set in. It was only a few weeks earlier that Peter had denied Jesus in the temple courtyard. Today's scripture reading describes him standing in front of the same Annas and Caiaphas as he did at Jesus' trial, but now proclaiming the power of Jesus' name. His belief in Jesus as the salvation of the world gave Peter the strength he needed to be bold in both his actions and his words, even at the risk of being condemned. These actions included carrying on Jesus' ministry of healing the sick and tending to those on the margins of society, which is what caught the attention of the religious leaders of his time. As we are living into the Easter season, may we also find ourselves emboldened by the empty tomb to carry on Jesus' work, not fearing the risks, but trusting in the healing power of Jesus' name.
Saving God, guide us as we seek to follow Jesus boldly. We pray for open eyes to see the needs of those around us and gentle hearts as we seek to do your will. In Jesus' name, Amen.Sarah Sumner-Eisenbraun, '07
Pastor, St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, San Diego, Calif.
Acts 4:5 The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem,
6 with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.
7 When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?"
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders,
9 if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed,
10 let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.
11 This Jesus is "the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.'
12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved." (New Revised Standard Version)
The Luther Seminary
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