Reading, Writing, and the Author of Life
Today's Scripture
Acts 3:15-24
Today's Insights
In Acts 3:12-25, Peter delivers a powerful gospel message following the miraculous healing of a lame beggar. He boldly declares that the people's role in Jesus' crucifixion was part of God's divine plan, stating: "This is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer" (Verse 18). The prophetic breadth is remarkable—from David's psalms describing Christ's suffering and crucifixion details to Isaiah's profound messianic prophecies and Zechariah's precise predictions. Peter's message echoes the redemptive theme found in Joseph's words to his brothers: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20).
Today's Devotional
Imagine Moses with horns—an image immortalized by Michelangelo's 1515 sculpture, where two distinct horns protrude from Moses' forehead. This wasn't merely artistic imagination but a misunderstanding rooted in translation. Renaissance and medieval artists frequently depicted Moses this way due to the Latin Vulgate Bible's literal translation of a Hebrew word describing the "beams" of light radiating from Moses' face after encountering God's presence.
This fascinating example of misinterpretation serves as a powerful metaphor for how we often misread—not just texts, but people, and especially Jesus.
After healing a man unable to walk from birth, Peter confronts his fellow Israelites about their profound misunderstanding of Jesus. "You killed the author of life," he declares pointedly, "but God raised him from the dead" (Verse 15). His words are both an accusation and an invitation—highlighting how deeply they had misunderstood Christ's true identity and purpose.
Peter reveals that this misunderstanding was actually part of a larger divine narrative. The very prophets they revered—including Moses—had been pointing toward Jesus all along. "This is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets," Peter explains, demonstrating that what seemed like a tragic misunderstanding was, in fact, part of God's redemptive plan.
The healing of the lame man becomes a powerful illustration of transformation. It happened "by faith in the name of Jesus," a faith that comes not from human understanding, but through divine revelation. No matter how we've misinterpreted Christ in the past—whether through cultural misunderstandings, personal misconceptions, or deliberate rejection—He remains ready to write a new chapter in our lives.
Like the mistranslated "beams of light" becoming "horns," our limited human perspectives can dramatically alter our perception of divine truth. Yet God's grace persistently breaks through our misunderstandings, offering redemption and new beginnings.
Reflect & Pray
In what ways have you misunderstood Jesus?
What steps can you take today to allow the "Author of Life" to rewrite your story with greater clarity and deeper understanding? Invite Him to illuminate the areas of your heart and mind where misunderstandings might still linger.
Thank You, Jesus, for always understanding and loving me beyond my limited perceptions.