	Bob Hostetler > Devotions

Turnaround

by Bob Hostetler

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd (Acts 2:14)

People and businesses that rely on the trucking industry for the shipment and delivery of goods are familiar with features called "turnarounds," which afford space for large semi-tractor trailers to turn around easily, without the laborious process of backing up. That is precisely what the resurrection of Jesus Christ seemed to do for the disciples of Jesus--particularly Peter.

There have been many attempts to dismiss or disprove the resurrection of Jesus--the women went to the wrong tomb, the disciples stole the body, Jesus did not die but only "swooned"--but none can adequately explain Peter's turnaround.

Before and during the crucifixion of Jesus, Peter behaved just as one would expect a man to behave who sees his world crumbling around him. He fought it, then denied it, then ran from it, then hid from it. But a mere days later, that same Peter stood on the steps of the Temple, in the presence of those who only days before had engineered the death of his Master, and preached a bold and courageous sermon, proclaiming a risen Christ. Such a turnaround can have but one credible explanation: he was emboldened by the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.

The man or woman who trusts Christ for forgiveness and determines to follow him daily does not always experience a flash of lightning or earth-shaking emotion; but if our encounter with the Risen Christ doesn't transform us--and continue to do so day by day--we are not living in the power of his resurrection.

Prayer: Lord, let me live in the power of your resurrection today.

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