Read
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
Meditate
Today’s message
I love the scene in Acts. They looked at Peter and John and said, in other words: you remind me of Jesus. That is what I want for myself and for you. Not a religious label. Not human applause. I want that, in the work corridor, in the supermarket line, someone notices traces of the Master in us. Kindness that calms. Courage that does not shout. A clean presence. Who do you resemble? The question is not to blame, it is to align. Because it is possible to live in such a way that others recognize: you have been with Jesus.
Resembling Jesus does not happen by inertia. It is not automatic. God's grace takes away our merit, but it does not take away our responsibility. Intention matters. You do not fall into the United States by accident; you need a passport, date, luggage, and boarding. Paying for a gym does not strengthen anyone without training. The life with Christ is the same: commitment, routine, direction. Christ being formed in us requires daily decision. And I want to call you to take, before God, simple, possible commitments that become a path and not an empty promise.
Commitments you should make
- Remain in Jesus — daily awareness of His presence; fruit comes from the vine.
- Learn from Jesus — be a disciple; observe His reactions and His treatment of the marginalized.
- Obey Jesus — not just admire; obey fully and accept immediate correction.
God's grace takes away our merit, but it doesn't take away our responsibility.
I start with the first: remain. Jesus said: Remain in me and I will remain in you, for without me you can do nothing. Before producing patience, remain. Before demanding self-control, remain. Bring Jesus to coffee, to the bus, to the spreadsheet, to the difficult conversation. He is present. When this awareness fills the house, the fruit appears. And as we remain, we learn. He Himself invited us: Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart. A disciple observes and replicates.
How this appears in your daily life
- Read the Gospels with the aim of knowing what Jesus thinks and how He reacts.
- Carry the awareness of Jesus' presence in common tasks and pressures.
- Notice how He treated Bartimaeus and the widows; choose the same path of compassion.
- When the Spirit points something out, obey immediately; do not push it off.
And here is the turning point: there is a big difference between admiring Jesus and obeying Jesus. Admiration applauds; obedience surrenders. Make a simple covenant today, between you and God. Say with me: I am a disciple of Jesus. Ask Him to show areas for adjustment. Allow correction without excuse. Remain, learn, obey. That, when they see us, they may marvel and recognize: they have been with Jesus.
Did you know
- In Acts 4, Peter and John were evaluated by the Sanhedrin; 'uneducated and untrained' indicated a lack of formal rabbinical training.
- Bartimaeus, the blind man from Jericho, was attended to by Jesus amidst the crowd that rebuked him (Mark 10:46-52).
- Jesus interrupted His journey to comfort the widow of Nain and raise her only son (Luke 7:11-15).
Key phrases
- They marveled and recognized that they had been with Jesus.
- It’s not automatic.
- Remain in me, and I will remain in you, for without me you can do nothing.
- There is a big difference between admiring Jesus and obeying Jesus.
Translated from the Portuguese original.
Seek
To seek today
Go deeper
Go deeper
Com quem você se parece ? - Pr.Nei Messias
Watch