Acts 3 tells the story of Peter and John going to the Temple in the afternoon to pray. They passed by a man who was begging. He had been crippled his entire life. As the disciples went past him, he asked them for help. Peter responded that they had no money for him, but they would give him what they could: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. He grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feet. He was healed instantly. Not only did was he able to walk, but he was jumping up and down and praising God.

All those who saw it were amazed. The man who was healed held on to Peter and John. As a crowd gathered, Peter took the chance to explain what was going on. He made it clear that it was not by their power that this man was healed, but by the name of Jesus, the one they had crucified, that he was able to walk. He pointed out that Jesus was the fulfillment of the promises God made to His chosen people: He was the Messiah.

He went on to say that even though they had killed Him, He rose again, and the forgiveness of sins He accomplished was for all of them.

Acts 3:17–21  “Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

I am down in Port Isabel, Texas again to share this life-giving message with the saints that gather at Fishers of Men Lutheran Church. While I am here, I will have some times of refreshing on the beach. But more than that, I have the times of refreshing that come when I repent, lay my sins at the foot of the cross, and hear God tell me that my sins have been wiped away because of what Jesus did.

Not only do I have that, but I get to share it with others. Like Peter and John, I get to share what I have. So do you.