But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.
--Acts 2:14
Wait a minute! Is this the Peter who tried to talk Jesus out of going to the cross up there at Caesarea Philippi? Could it be the Peter who promised to go to prison and to death with Jesus only to deny Him three times? Was this the Peter who, when Jesus looked him in the eye, went out and wept bitterly? Astonishingly, it is!
What, exactly, happened to this boisterous soul, this top-level disciple who sought to protect his own life when the chips were down? Seriously, should we not give him credit? He was only working in his own self-interest. Most folks do that. On that score, we have much in common with Peter.
But there he stands, reckless of his own life, on that first Day of Pentecost. There were no more phony promises, angry and foul-mouthed denials, or rivers of tears. Instead, we find rock-solid confidence and sturdy, Scripturally-based proclamation. There was no need to protect His life anymore. The Spirit of the Lord Jesus, poured out on the first Pentecost, had that covered.
These are the kinds of changes that happen when the promised Spirit of Jesus Christ hits the ground running! By all means, run along with the Spirit!
PD
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