Made for More

Peter, the outspoken disciple of Jesus, is fascinating! He was loud and brash. You would never miss him in a crowd! When Jesus sadly predicted that, on the night of His arrest and trial, all His disciples would desert Him, Peter was sure he would not do that. Yes, all the other guys would do it, but not he! Yet, later that night, he denied Jesus not once but three times. According to Luke 22:62, Peter was so heartbroken he went out and wept bitterly! His heart was broken by his denial and failure.

Fast forward a little over 50 days. On the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the Holy Spirit is poured out on the people as Jesus predicted would happen (Luke 24:49). It was a supernatural experience with people miraculously "declaring the wonders of God" in the languages of the multitude of people who were nearby. They incredulously asked, “What does this mean?” (Acts 2:12). In response, Peter boldly preaches a masterful sermon that not only answers their question but proves Jesus to be Lord and God. (Remember Peter was not an educated scholar but an unlearned fisherman.) He climaxes his message with this ringing declaration: "God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah" (Acts 2:36). His hearers are "cut to the heart" and plead, "What shall we do?" Peter boldly declares, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). The result? Three thousand responded and were added to the Church that day!

After Peter's failure, it would have been tempting for many to kick him off the team or, at least, put him on probation. Not so with Jesus! He saw great potential in Peter's life. He knew Peter was made for more!

That truth - that we are made for more - is not true just for disciples of Jesus who lived 2000 years ago. Whether you are male or female, young or old, rich or poor, educated or not, you qualify to be used by Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do miraculous things. Surrender your life to Jesus. Step out of your comfort zone and into a miracle. I first heard it years ago and it is so true: "The Holy Spirit has come to do the Supernatural, to make the Super become Natural in your life!"