A Story So Big, We Cannot Help but Tell It

 

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. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:13–20 ESV).

 

Today’s picture is from the archives of the Facebook thread titled “A&W Root Beer.” It was located on Texas Avenue in College Station, Texas. This photo was taken in the mid to late sixties, just about the same time I was a student at Texas A&M. It has long since been demolished and replaced with high-rise dorms. However, it holds a very special place in my memory. It was the place I first met Mary. In fact, it was that very evening when she and a friend of hers decided to get in the back seat of my car with a friend of mine and me for a hamburger and a frosty mug of root beer. Before your mind begins to wander, she and her girlfriend were seated in the back seat while my friend and I were in the front. Soon into the conversation I turned to her and said, “You’re the most beautiful woman I‘ve ever seen. I’m going to marry you.”  Her response was less than enthusiastic, “Marry me? I won’t even date you. You’re not a Christian.” Well, that was not at all what I expected! But it was the beginning of a journey that has lasted well over half a century!

 

It has been an extraordinary journey! I have often told the story, though I’ve never written the whole of it in any of my published works. Today, the point I want to make is that when we see or experience something extraordinary, usually we can’t help telling people about it. Whether it is an encounter with a celebrity or a wonderful vacation or a life-changing event, we want to share it. That’s why I have told the story so many times to so many people. This was that moment when my life began to change in so many ways.

 

As we think about God’s big mission, I want to focus on our second word, witness. We give witness, or testimony, about God’s work of salvation because God calls us to do so, and the Holy Spirit has come to help us (cf. Acts 1:8). But we are also motivated internally. If we have experienced the saving love and power of God, and it has completely changed who we are and how we live, how can we not talk about it?

 

In our passage today, we read that the apostles Peter and John caused a stir among the religious leaders in Jerusalem by healing a lame man. Those leaders wanted to know by what power or authority they had done this work. Peter, bold as ever, declared that they served Jesus and Jesus alone. And as for their work of speaking about Jesus and ministering in his name, how could they keep from sharing about all they had learned from the Savior? Likewise, our lives ought to spill over with the joy of our salvation!

 

What’s your story? Leave it in a comment for others to share in your joy!