By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

Being With Someone Famous

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“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished.  And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”
Acts 4:13 (ESV)

We all like to be with someone or something famous.  Here Margaret and I are doing a selfie with the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris.  We are with something famous. Its a special picture because of who we are with…

The Jewish council in Jerusalem was angry that Peter and John were preaching about Jesus as risen Lord.  They were astonished that Peter and John were so bold in their proclamation since they were uneducated, common men.  Peter and John were no one of note or fame.  But the council recognized that these common, uneducated men had been with Jesus.  They were no one great on their own, but they had followed Jesus.

And being with Jesus changes everything.  On our own we are sinful and flawed and unable to do much.  We are neither wise nor of great reputation.  But because Jesus is with us we are very, very important.  We are chosen by God and given great gifts of forgiveness and eternal life and faith and the Holy Spirit.  Because Jesus is with us what we have to say is important, we have a message of life and resurrection and peace and joy.

There is an old saying, “It’s not what you know that is important, but it’s who you know.”  You and I may not know much or count for much in this world, but because we are with Jesus we really matter and we have a message that changes  everything.  Because of Jesus we can face off against the world and the devil himself.

I hope that when people think of me, they say, “Who is that ?  Oh, I don’t know much about him, but I can see he has been with Jesus!  Hallelujah!

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado