Charles Spurgeon told young preachers, “Start with the text before you and cut cross country to the cross as quickly as you can.” Peter employed that strategy in his second sermon. He started with the healing of the lame man. Then he reminded his hearers of their collaboration in the crucifixion.
Thankfully, Peter does not leave them there. They and their leaders acted out of ignorance in crucifying Jesus. As Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” But God was sovereignly working out his plan, fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah had to suffer. When mankind was at its worst, God was at his best.
How shall we respond when we recognize the reality of our complicity with the crucifixion of Christ? Like Jesus before him, Peter tells his listeners to repent and turn to God. Like a space module that is continually correcting course as it returns to Earth, we are always repenting, and turning toward God. What will happen if we do? Times of refreshing will come from the Lord.
We continue to pray for revival again at Tallowood. We want God to bring times of refreshing. What is our part? Repent and turn to the Lord. Repentance is simply changing our minds. God’s great transformation begins with a renewal of our thinking. Today we turn from sin and to our Savior. If we do, we may be sure that he will bring times of refreshing.
