GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES THROUGH JESUS
- Key Verse
- "It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'AND IN YOUR SEED ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.'" (Acts 3:25)
READ THE PASSAGE
Central Truth
Jesus is the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophesies about the Messiah's coming.
Reflections
When our first grandchild was three days old, we were able to take a four generation family picture. Imagine if at Jesus' birth, Mary and Joseph were also able to have a multi-generational picture taken. Crowded around the manger, the shot might have included Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David. I'm sure Peter would have appreciated having such a picture as he was talking to the Jews outside the temple in today's passage.The scene is Solomon's portico, a covered porch surrounding the temple. People are gathering in amazement at the healing of the paralytic. They are gazing at Peter and John as if they have done this miracle in their own power. Peter emphatically tells them the man was strengthened by the power of faith in Jesus' name. (Acts 3:16) Peter takes this opportunity to tell them once again that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is glorified in Jesus. (Acts 3:13) The coming of Jesus was foretold over and over in Old Testament prophesies. Peter reminds the Jews that even though they rejected Jesus and turned Him over to Pilate, "[T]he thing which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled." (Acts 3:18) This was all part of God's plan. Jesus is the fulfillment of God's covenant, His binding promise. Jesus is the "I am" of Israel's history, He is our Lord!
God's constancy is a comfort to me. About ten years ago, I took a Bible study course on covenants, which really helped solidify my faith. The idea that scripture reinforces scripture, even when books of the Bible were written by different authors and centuries apart, brought proof to my doubting mind. This knowledge of the Word showed me God's constancy. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, and He keeps His promises! God wanted His people to know Jesus would come, how He would come, what He would do, and what would happen to Him. And it happened exactly like He said it would!
Praise God!
Discussion Questions
- Had you been there with Peter, what could you have said to help clarify his message that Jesus is the prophesied Messiah?
- What attributes of God are a comfort to you?
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Grace Community Church.
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Doug Quinn
January 11, 2010 08:38 AM
Great devotion, thanks for sharing!
Kelly Spencer
January 11, 2010 08:47 AM
That was really great Jeri, I suspected you were a very smart girl but I had no idea!!! you tied several really perfect scriptures together to make the point and the thought of Jesus's family picture... I must say I had never thought of that one! well done!
Cindy MacIlvaine
January 11, 2010 08:48 AM
Thanks for such an encouraging devotion Jeri! This is a comfort for my day!
Lynn Carpenter
January 11, 2010 06:39 PM
Jeri, Wonderful witness and great supportive Biblical references. Thanks for making my day!
Rod MacIlvaine
January 12, 2010 09:19 AM
Jeri, Thanks for the reminder about the extensive prophesies about the coming of Jesus. Those made a huge impact on me too as I was in the process of coming to faith, but they have been a constant encouragement to me since then that the Bible is truly a supernatural book sourced in the goodness and wisdom of God. Rod
Susan Miner
January 12, 2010 11:22 AM
Good job, Jeri. I find comfort knowing it is going to happen just as He says it will! Susan Miner