December 27, 2007 - Acts 3:17

“’Now, brothers and sisters, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.’” Acts 3:17.
With the crowd gathered, Peter began to give testimony to the healing of the man born crippled. He spoke of how Jesus Christ, and faith in Him, healed this man. Peter now turns his attention to the crowd, challenging them in their own involvement in the death of Jesus. He does not simply blame them for Jesus’ death; he explains that they acted in ignorance. They did not know any better.
I cannot possibly remember how manner times I have ‘acted in ignorance’ regarding so many things in life. Many times I have done so, and still do so, with what I think are the best of intentions. I mean well, but I just did not know all the facts, or I did not understand the situation fully enough and things did not go very well at all, or they certainly did not end up the way that I envisioned. Fortunately, I have never had such a monumental ‘act of ignorance’ as the people of this crowd on that day 2,000 years ago, but knowing me, I could very easily have been part of that crowd. I do not see myself as any different than the people in that crowd that day. And I do not see you as any different either! Do you?
I believe that our acting in ignorance is one of the results of our “fallen-ness.” We may mean well, yet we more naturally go towards the easy way out or towards our own self-preservation. It takes work for us to not act in ignorance. Like paddling a canoe upstream against a strong current, doing what is the right thing to do, most of the time, if not all of the time, takes great effort, while taking the easy way out – ‘acting in ignorance’ – comes so naturally that we just glide along.
As we come into this New Year, consider these questions: How have I ‘acted in ignorance’ lately? What would it take for me to not ‘act in ignorance?’ With God’s help, how can I intentionally make efforts to overcome this?
Prayer: Thank You, God, that You did not ‘act in ignorance’ in sending Jesus into this world. Please give us wisdom and courage to not ‘act in ignorance’ in our everyday activities and lives. Help us to rely on You for Your strength, courage, and guidance in each day, as we seek to not ‘act in ignorance.’ Amen.