A True Jesus Movement
“While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s” (Acts 3:11, ESV).
In the phrase, the people “ran together to them,” the word “together” has great significance. These people were not scrambling to get past one another. They went as one, each humbled by the majestic power of God’s presence.
What hurting man, woman, or child wouldn’t run to a place where God answers lifelong troubles and where deep, miraculous healing takes place? That is truly a “Jesus Movement.” This does not happen by plans, ingenuity or organized events; it happens when God shows up. Wherever his glory manifests, whether through faithful preaching or a simple testimony, people will run to it.
God’s glory has that effect. It unites us in awe. Indeed, God desires that we set aside our differences, forgive offenses and go to those who need our forgiveness or who need to forgive us.
We cannot expect a glorious, awe-inspiring God to move in our midst if we cling to a tongue that speaks evil, a heart that stews on grudges, a spirit that refuses to forgive another. Why would nonbelievers run to a church where malice and division rule? God’s acts of glory knit our hearts together, but how can we be knit if we refuse to lay down our divisions?
Why is God’s glory manifested in some churches and people but not in others? Peter provides an answer in the scene at the Temple. He told those marveling people, “Men of Israel…the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus” (Acts 3:12-13).
God has placed all his majesty, glory, and power in one source: Christ. His glory is not made known in smart and powerful men or through brilliant plans and ingenious strategies. It is found in a single source that is Jesus. If we want Christ’s glory in our lives and in our churches, it will not come through our strength or schemes. It will come by emptying ourselves out that he may fill us. We must say with John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).