Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. — Acts 4:8-10, NLT
Like a batter revved at home plate at the bottom of the ninth, scored tied, bases loaded with two out, Peter does more than hit this opportunity. He nails it.
Peter knows nails. In his mind, he must have heard the horrible sound of nails into flesh and wood over and over in the days following the full-stop, nothing-more-terrible Friday crucifixion.
Peter has also been nailed by his cowardice not once, not twice, but three times.
So, yes, Peter, who was one of a handful of people who knew more about Jesus than anyone else in the world, nailed this opportunity. Of course, he would swing at this! Of course, he would say who Jesus is. Of course, he would share with conviction that, by way of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ powerful name brought healing to a crippled man.
That Peter speaks here with such purpose and passion is not just his joy. It is our joy, too. It’s our joy because we can step up to the plate and share again and again, and over and over and over, the powerful, healing name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, the One who raises us from the dead into eternal life.
PRAYER: As You did with Peter, keep on keeping on with us, Lord Jesus, so that when we can speak Your name, it will sound and feel like a grand slam home run each and every time. Amen.