they had been with Jesus

After I wrote yesterday's post, I remembered that Peter and John distinguished themselves as “ordinary men who had had no special training” in Acts 3 and 4. In chapter 3, the man who had been crippled for 40 years is healed, and Peter preaches to the amazed crowds; because of this, he and John spend the night in jail. Chapter 4 tells of their encounter with the Sanhedrin and notes the response of the councilmen:

The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men who had had no special training. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.

There’s so much here to think about–and more to the point, so much that can encourage us when we feel inadequate, unprepared, or just plain ordinary. What set these men apart was not their education. And Scripture makes it clear that their amazing boldness was not natural: verse 8 tells us that Peter spoke under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. When we take all this together, we see that what set Peter and John apart was God. They were filled with His Spirit and spent time with His Son.

That’s exciting! I may have little or no opportunity to change some aspects of my life, but one thing that is totally within my control is my time with God. The anointing of the Holy Spirit and the presence of Jesus Christ are always available to me. And this knowledge shifts the focus and lifts the pressure. “Ordinary” becomes okay, because it’s not about me anyway. If I’m feeling inadequate, it’s likely that I’m thinking only of myself rather than looking to God and trusting in His provision. The next time I’m feeling a little outclassed, a little ordinary, I can remind myself, “I’ve been with Jesus” and that the anointing will shine through.