You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.

Acts 3:13-21

13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

Today’s title is “You Killed The Author of Life”

A preacher said that the role of a preacher is to make people stand in front of the throne of God here on earth before they actually stand before the white throne of God in heaven. Have people stand before the throne and see the glory and power of God. But have them stand before God and see how frightening it is for a sinner to stand before the righteous God. If a preacher succeeds in doing so, people will look more desperately and intensely for a redeemer who will advocate for them in front of God. How true? What is unfortunate is that many preachers in our days disregard such insightful advice and spend most of their messages on worldly wisdom. We see a good example of a sermon that makes people stand before the white throne of God in today’s passage. Peter and John healed a beggar who was lame from birth. As the people at the temple got to know what happened to the beggar, they were all filled with wonder and amazement. Peter used it as an opportunity to present the throne view of the redemptive work of Christ to them. Peter briefly mentions the glory of Jesus that is from ancient of old. Then he rather abruptly takes people before the throne of God where Jesus is seated with God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Then He tells them point-blank. “You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life”. The thunderous voice of Peter might have terrified the listeners. They were indeed sinners at the hand of angry God at the moment. The fiery eyes of the righteous God must have been piercing through them. They should have wanted to hide in anywhere if it is possible at all. They must have wanted to go under the cover of anybody if there is any at all. How can anyone hope to spare their life when he killed the author of life? Have you ever heard such soul-searching and heart-sunken fiery message lately? Sermons don’t have to be this way all the time. But we need to hear such a message at least occasionally. Peter rightly adds the good news to the fiery message. He said, Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord”. Good news can be truly good when people fully understand the horrible fate without the true advocate in heaven. Amen!