Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed (the crowd), “You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know—this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ “Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, ‘He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.’ This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.” ~ Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Look how far Peter has come. No longer is he the frightened follower or the brash young man who speaks without thinking.
He is a leader. And he speaks with the gravity and knowledge of a leader.
And he speaks of two other great leaders - David, the beloved King from ancient memory, and Jesus, of David's line.
Peter connects these two kings together, and now becomes part of the story himself.
It takes all kinds to be leaders in the journey of faith. One thing these three have in common is that no one would have predicted they would become leaders: a shepherd, a fisherman, and a carpenter.
It was the carpenter who made Peter into the leader he became, and it was the shepherd who helped pave the way for the carpenter King.
God gives leadership skills to those we might not have predicted as well. And sometimes those unpredictable leaders are ourselves.
What kind of leader do you think God might be calling you to be?
Holy One, help me to hear your call when I am meant to lead. Help me to see the gifts you have given me for leadership. Amen
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