To be continued...

Today: Acts 1-3

We just finished reading the book of John, the last Gospel and account of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. But the story isn't over.

One of the Gospel writers, Luke, wrote the next book we're about to study starting today. I love the Introduction to Acts found in the Message version of the Bible. Here's a little part of it:

"The story of Jesus doesn't end with Jesus.

It continues in the lives of those who believe in Him.

The supernatural does not stop with Jesus.

Luke makes it clear that these Christians he wrote about

were no more spectators of Jesus

than Jesus was a spectator of God--

they are in on the action of God,

God acting in them,

God living in them.

Which also means, of course, in us."

(Introduction to Acts, The Message)

In the opening chapters of Acts, some pretty major stuff happens--the disciples see Jesus ascend into Heaven, the Holy Spirit comes and transforms them, thousands of people start to believe in Jesus, and Peter and John are part of a miracle where a crippled man is completely healed.

But what stood out most to me was the story of Peter himself. His story is pretty incredible. At the end of the Gospels, we saw Peter as the guy who denied even knowing Jesus when He was on the cross. Then, Jesus saw Peter after the resurrection and charged him with being a "fisher of men" and "feeding the lambs"--basically, reaching people with Jesus' story and love and guiding them in their faith.

In the first chapters of Acts, I saw a little bit of how that change happened--mainly through the Holy Spirit and the power it gave to Peter. After he receives the Holy Spirit, the same guy who denied Jesus is bold enough to tell His story to thousands of people (with no microphone--he had to use a loud, booming voice!) whose lives were changed because of it. Talk about transformation!

After He received the Holy Spirit, Peter (with John) witnessed a miracle where a crippled guy was healed...and then, Peter proceeded to use the miraculous story to tell even more people about God.

I think that's pretty incredible. I love that Jesus' story didn't end on the cross or even with an empty tomb. It continued with people like Peter...and continues today with people like us.

Tomorrow: Acts 4-6

Deal? Or no deal?

Today: Matthew 15-17

I'll be the first to admit--I don't get the hype around the show "Deal or No Deal."

But some people LOVE it. They know the names of the girls in glitter. They know all of Howie Mandel's tactics for switching to commercial break at precisely the most intense moment. My dad even records the show on his DVR with a "season pass."

"Why?!?" I asked him one day. "It doesn't matter if you skip one episode...or 50. There's not exactly a story line."

I don't remember how he answered me. He probably said something like, "I just like it. No matter who is playing, there's always on-the-edge-of-your-seat drama."

Whether I like it or not, we all play the game of "Deal or No Deal" in real life...and there can be lots of drama. However, I think God's version is easier than Howie's. It's like playing the game with the numbers on the outside of the suitcases.

Let me explain...

Peter plays "Deal or No Deal"

In this passage, there are a two stories about Peter that I never placed together before (probably because they're usually chopped up in most books and messages).

In the first story, Jesus takes a survey of the disciples and asks, "What do people say about the Son of Man?" and then, "What do you say I am?" Peter answers, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

Jesus replies:

"God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah!

You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers.

My Father in heaven,

God himself,

let you in on this secret of who I really am.

And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are.

You are Peter, a rock.

This is the rock on which I will put together my church,

a church so expansive with energy

that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.
"And that's not all.

You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom...

By recognizing who Jesus is, Peter was on God's side. Peter learned who he was...and had the promise of "complete and free access to God's kingdom." That's a pretty good deal if you ask me.

But the drama quickly unfolds. In the next breath, Jesus tells the disciples about his impending death and resurrection. Peter says, "Impossible, Master! That can never be!"

Jesus' response is totally different than what we read a few paragraphs above. He says:

"Peter, get out of my way.

Satan, get lost.

You have no idea how God works."

That sounds pretty harsh...I mean, two seconds ago, Peter was the guy on God's side with keys to the kingdom. Here, he's linked to Satan and being lost and clueless about God, not found. This is a seriously bad deal.

I think Jesus explains what it takes to get the good deal when He says:

"Anyone who intends to come with me

has to let me lead.

You're not in the driver's seat; I am.

Don't run from suffering; embrace it.

Follow me and I'll show you how.

Self-help is no help at all.

Self-sacrifice is the way,

my way,

to finding yourself,

your true self.

What kind of deal is it to get everything you want

but lose yourself?

What could you ever trade your soul for?

When Peter spoke from a place of doubt...or, depending on how you read it, used a self-assured tone to tell Jesus (God in flesh) what's possible, he was clearly on the side of the bad deal.

But when he listened to God, spoke with faith and lost the need to speak his own opinion, he found God, himself and amazing promises for his future.

Sorry, Howie. I think Heaven's "Deal or No Deal" makes the (often difficult) choices seem more obvious--and has way better prizes in the end. And I think there will be glitter.

Tomorrow: Matthew 18-19