The Council of religious leaders tried to forbid Peter and John from speaking in the name of Jesus, but the apostles responded that they couldn’t stop speaking about what they saw and heard. What about us? They depth of our friendship with Jesus will be revealed by our willingness to stand with Him in times of testing and trials. Let’s remember that Jesus stood for us and still stands by us!

Peter, John and the healed lame man were thrown into prison by the Sadducees for proclaiming the name of Jesus for healing and salvation, but thousands of bystanders believed and were saved! Sometimes bad things happen to good people… Are we going to be more concerned about rejection and suffering, than salvation?

After John and Peter healed the lame man at the Beautiful Gate, the people were amazed and began to congregate. Peter realized he had an opportunity to preach, so he gave the same as he did before – “Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” This is still the good news today: the Holy Spirit still brings the times of refreshing!

John and Peter were led and empowered by the Holy Spirit to heal a man lame from birth, who immediately went to the House of God, leaping with praise and thanksgiving. We too, should leap and praise God when we truly understand that we are loved and forgiven by the power and authority of Jesus Christ!

Jesus has and will fulfill all four cups of the Jewish Passover Seder. The cups of Sanctification, Judgment, Redemption, & Praise. Without judgment, there can be no redemption, but Jesus has redeemed us with His own blood. We, who believe in Jesus, can drink the cup of Redemption, because Jesus drank the cup of judgment that was ours.