Psalm 146, 147; Ezek. 37:1-14; Acts 3:11-26; John 15:12-27
Ezekiel sees the resurrection from the dead. What a sight this must have been for Ezekiel! Does he see this “in the Spirit” or in reality? He sees dry bones, bones of those long dead and the Lord asks if these bones can live again. If the Lord can create man from the dust of the earth, certainly He could bring these bones to life again. Ezekiel is given the incredible opportunity to do what only God has done, speak to that which has no life and cooperate with God’s Spirit in bringing life. He is speaking with all the authority of God because He is speaking in obedience to God’s command to Him and what He sees is the power of God in being able to do anything He chooses. When we abide in Him and follow Him we see amazing things and He uses us to work His wonders.
Jesus promises the disciples that He will send them the Helper, the Holy Spirit, to lead and guide them. He also promises that if they remain in Him the Father will hear their prayers in His Name and will give them what they ask. Does this mean that God is obliged to do whatever we ask Him to? Jesus never presumed upon the Father to do for Him, all He did was for the glory of the Father, not for His own comfort, safety and security. All He asked of the Father was for others and for the glory of the Father. The only time we truly see Him asking the Father for something for His own benefit was in the garden as Jesus prayed that if it were the Father’s will then the cup of suffering would not come to Him but in the end it was all up to the Father. He tells the disciples to love one another and follows that with the reality that if they persevere in their testimony to Him the world will hate them. They can’t afford to be divided from one another, they are few in number and the rest of the world hates them. In this life we need to love one another as Christ loves us.
Peter explains the healing of the man who had been lame from birth. His explanation is simple that the power that healed this man is the power that raised Jesus from the dead and this power is now working through Peter. He says it is by faith in the Name of Jesus that this man is healed. Whose faith is operative here? Did the lame man have faith in Jesus? Peter certainly had faith that he could speak to “dry bones” and heal them but we don’t know what the man knew or believed or did he feel a healing in his bones and joints. Peter uses this opportunity to preach the Gospel. They acted in ignorance in crucifying Jesus, they “knew not what they were doing.” Because of this, forgiveness is possible if they will accept Him as Messiah and turn from their “wickedness.” They would have a difficult time accepting themselves as doers of wickedness unless the Spirit convicted them but Peter was telling the truth. It probably won’t win friends and influence people, however.
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
But the pains that He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He’s King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
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