Peter

Acts 1:12-17, 21-26 (NRSV)

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus - for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry."

So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us - one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection." So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles. 

Whenever I read about Peter in Acts I feel such hope.  This is the same Peter who at the end of Acts' sister story, the Gospel of Luke, denied Jesus, and then stood disbelieving in shock at the resurrection.  When Luke ends, Peter's future still seems awfully murky, yet here right at the beginning of the book of Acts he stands and takes charge.  At the last supper Jesus had told his followers that he was conferring his kingdom on them.  Their time was coming, and here, Peter steps right into the role.

What must he have been feeling?  The Peter in the Gospels is usually not one to hide his feelings, so here I can only imagine that he is feeling the very confidence that his Lord has given him.  

There's another thing that strikes me here and gives me hope.  Peter from the beginning cared about the administration and organization of this new church.  Sometimes it is easy to become disillusioned with either too many meetings, or structure seeming to get in the way of ministry, but here from the beginning we see that "good order" is important for the ongoing spread of the Gospel.

Things didn't go perfectly for the early church, and they don't go perfectly for us.  But Jesus also didn't leave this followers without a helper.  The Holy Spirit would turn these formerly fearful disciples into apostles of action.  The same Spirit that blew through their lives blows through us.  

Jesus set the movement in action and Peter and the rest took up the mantle.  And now that mantle is conferred on the church today.  

If Jesus can make a rock out of Peter, what can he do for you?  What can he do for me?

Blessed Jesus, you have set your church in the hands of a people who aren't perfect, but your trust in us can move mountains.  Remind us of the confidence that you provide.  Remind us that even though the work will not always move perfectly, it is nevertheless your important work that we do.  Bless us to be a blessing to others as we spread your Gospel of love. Amen.