Peter and John, Bonded by Love
Rev. Enoch Thompson | February 1 2025 | Acts 3:1-5
KEY VERSE: “One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer — at three in the afternoon.” Acts 3:1 (NIV)
MESSAGE: God made humans as relational beings, capable of relating with Him, creation, and other humans. Our relationship networks with other people are based upon blood relationships of family, marriage, ethnicity, nationality and our common humanity. One factor that brings us together with other people is the personal choice we exercise when we choose marital partners and friends.
The New Testament narrative shows a closeness and bond between the Apostles Peter and John. We know that Peter had his own brother Andrew among the Twelve Apostles, just as John had his blood brother James (Matthew 10:2) among the Twelve Apostles. However, we see a closeness and joint activity between Peter and John. We learn that when Mary Magdalene first saw the empty tomb of the Lord Jesus Christ, she ran to report specifically to Peter and John (John 20:1-2). In our text for today, we see the same two going to the Temple together during the time of prayer.
What brought these two into such a close working, living, and loving relationship? Some have thought that John, because he was so dearly loved by the Lord (he is referred to as “the disciple whom the Lord loved”), and we can also observe his emphasis on love in his epistles (1 John, 2 John, and 3 John), was the one disciple who embraced Peter after his terrible failure of denying the Lord and shared in his sorrow following his repentance. What do you think brought them so close together? Whatever it was, the closeness and partnership is evident.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Christian living provides for friendship, and Christ is our friend who sticks closer than a brother. Do you have people with whom you can say you have a godly attachment and friendship? Are you a person who will be happy to say, “This is my friend”?
PRAYER:
Lord, it excites me to declare that you are my Friend and closer to me than a brother. Please help me to develop such a personality that others will feel comfortable in my company, to share in life and work and your Kingdom. For your dear Name’s sake. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 32: Genesis 43-44 — Joseph Tests His Brothers
DAILY word study: GOING UP
The Greek word used for "going up" in Acts 3:1 is anabainō (ἀναβαίνω), meaning to ascend, rise, or go up. It carries a sense of both physical movement and spiritual elevation. The term is frequently used in Scripture to refer to going up to places of worship, highlighting an act of devotion and obedience.
Peter and John "going up" to the temple signifies more than just a physical journey; it reflects their spiritual discipline and commitment to prayer. In Jewish tradition, the temple was the place where God’s presence dwelled, and going up to it was an act of reverence. This moment also sets the stage for the first miraculous healing recorded in Acts, demonstrating that God moves powerfully when His people are devoted to Him.
Reflection:
Are you intentional about "going up"—drawing closer to God in worship and prayer? What steps can you take to prioritize spiritual discipline in your daily life?
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