Lesson Thirty Nine
SHARING JESUS’ LOVE
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Memory Verse: Acts 10:34, 35
Further Study: Acts 9:32-10:48; Acts of the Apostles, pp. 131-142; The Bible Story, vol. 10, pp. 47-56
Quite a number of years ago I had a close friend. We interacted daily and pretty much knew what the other was thinking, doing, or feeling. She had had a serious illness years before I had met her but she was in remission.
One night about 3:00 a.m., while sleeping on my side, I was awakened by the sensation of a hand on my arm shaking me. I then heard a voice saying, “Pray for [insert friend’s name.] My immediate response was “No.” Looking back, each time I think of that experience I have to smile because it wasn’t the type of response one should ever give to an invitation to pray. I never opened my eyes, but was alert enough to know I didn’t want to be awake, but obviously not alert enough to consider who shook me and who was speaking. The voice came again, “Pray for . . . .” And maybe a third—that part I don’t recall, but grumbling, I agreed. Prayed silently for her and went back to sleep.
The next day, remembering the experience, I called and asked her if everything was all right. She’d had an unexpected episode related to the former illness in the night. I asked for the time. It was 3:00 a.m.
I know this story sounds odd, but I can feel that touch as if it were yesterday. I believe an angel woke me. But I tell this story not because of the angel moment, but because of my response to it: “No.”
Two men in Acts 10 have a God-encounter.
Two men in Acts 10 have a God-encounter. Cornelius, when he sees the angel responds, “What is it, Lord?” Peter, also praying, hears a voice telling him what to do and his response is “Not so, Lord!” How interesting that the new believer is open, while the seasoned follower’s first response is less so.
My two-and-a-half-year-old grandson has started wagging his finger as he says, “No.” Teenagers seem to have contrarian tendencies built into their age group. It seems that “No” as a first response is built into our sinful DNA.
It seems that “No” as a first response is built into our sinful DNA.
As we recognize these tendencies, this story is a lesson to us to begin to practice first listening for how God might use us and then a positive response to His calling. I would love to tell you that since that experience I’ve become this amazing responder to God. But it wouldn’t be true. Sometimes it is a real struggle. Sometimes I argue with Him or pray that He find another way, but it’s all about discipleship and growth that comes sometimes by inches. Perhaps that’s why we have several years of toddlers and teenagers to help remind us as we teach them that saying “No” isn’t always the best response.
Let’s say “Yes” to God today and be renewed.
Digging Deeper
Two interesting items about Peter. First, in the stories about healing the lame man and the resurrection of Dorcas, Peter imitated what he had heard and seen from Jesus. When healing Aeneas Peter uses a phrase very similar to Jesus: “Arise and make your bed.” Remember Jesus’ instruction to the paralytic in Mark 2:10-12.
Again, with Tabitha (Dorcas) Peter says in the original language, “Tabitha cumi.” When Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter, He said, “Talitha, cumi.”
As for Peter saying “No” to God’s request in the vision, he’d said similarly to God before. In Matthew 16:22 we find him rebuking Jesus when Jesus spoke of His upcoming death. In John 13:8, we find Peter telling Jesus “No” when Jesus wanted to wash his feet. Clearly a lesson Peter needed to be reminded of and it is why we find Peter so relatable.
Making it Real
This week is a good time to review the stories of Moses and Jonah, both who initially said, “No” to God. Think about your own life. When have you said “No,” to God. How do you practice saying “yes”?
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Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being a grandmother to two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus, and a granddaughter, who’s delighting everyone with her smiles. She is blessed to have all three living close by, continually bringing joy and delight.
