The Miracle and the Message

Repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away.
–Acts 3:19

Have you ever heard the political adage “Never let a good crisis go to waste”? Peter lived by a similar motto: Never let a good miracle go to waste. In Acts 3, he healed a beggar at the temple gate in the name of Jesus Christ. When people saw what happened, a crowd gathered, and Peter took advantage of the opportunity. The miracle was a setup for sharing the message of Jesus Christ.

You’ve probably heard a famous saying often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.” The idea is that you don’t have to preach to people; as long as you live a godly life, people will be drawn to Christ by osmosis. That’s ridiculous. If you don’t tell people why you live the way you do, they might attribute your good deeds to Confucius, Buddha, or your Aunt Ethel. To share the gospel, you have to use words. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” It wasn’t enough for Peter to do a good deed; he gave the reason behind what he did.

In Peter’s message, we see three components of a gospel presentation. First of all, he pointed to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Peter said, “You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead” (vv. 14–15). The gospel is not about your personal experiences; it is about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. You can share how God has changed your life, but your message must be centered on Christ.

Second, Peter explained his audience’s guilt before God. He said, basically, “You wanted Jesus to be crucified.” The people he was speaking to could not be saved until they understood their guilt. Parents often ask me, “How do I know when my child is ready to accept Christ as Savior?” They’re ready when they understand sin. Before we can accept the good news about Jesus, we have to embrace the bad news that we are guilty before God.

Third, Peter called for repentance. He said, “Repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away” (v. 19). When God forgives us, He erases our sins. That is the good news of the gospel.

Today’s devotion is adapted from “Purpose-Driven Healing,” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2021.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org.