You Killed the Author of Life

This morning we will be looking at Peter's sermon to a crowd after the healing of a crippled man in Acts 3. In his message, Peter makes a statement directed to this crowd just a few weeks after Jesus' death that is striking: "You killed the author of life." Think about the claim---killing the author of life. Is that even possible? Many of the people hearing the message were also in the crowd that rejected Jesus, called for His death, and cried out for the release of a murderer instead of the release of Jesus. So, yes, they literally were involved in the death of Jesus. But we weren't there, so what about us? Peter's sermon is the central message we proclaim on Easter and every week---that even though we were not there, our sin caused the death of Jesus. Yet, God's power raised Him from the grave, and we are witnesses. The Easter story comes with an invitation to turn to Jesus and believe and the promise that "times of refreshing" will come from the presence of the Lord. It is our hope that all who are here will experience the blessing of Jesus today.