God Works Through Ordinary People
At last the door is unlocked. Fear gives way to faith, and spiritual freedom becomes the hallmark of the disciples’ Spirit-enlivened ministry. The men who once hid in an upper room now stand in public places, speaking with courage and conviction. It must have been a profound shock for the religious authorities. They thought they had dealt with this troublesome preacher from Nazareth — and now they were faced with a whole band of people who sounded just like him.
Acts 4:13 captures the moment perfectly. The Jewish leaders are astonished by the boldness of Peter and John. These men are uneducated, unschooled, and entirely ordinary by the standards of the day. Yet they speak with authority and clarity. The only explanation the leaders can find is this: they had been with Jesus. Their courage does not come from training or status, but from relationship.
What the authorities see before them is a startling contrast — simple backgrounds paired with powerful speech; ordinary lives infused with extraordinary confidence. The disciples have not become someone else. They are still fishermen and working men. But time spent with Jesus, and the empowering presence of the Spirit, has transformed them from the inside out.
Illustration
Imagine a plain piece of iron placed into a fire. On its own it is dull and cold. But as it remains in the flames, it begins to glow, taking on the heat and light of the fire itself. The iron has not changed its nature, but it now carries the fire’s energy. In the same way, ordinary people who stay close to Jesus begin to reflect his boldness, compassion, and authority.
Challenge
Do you ever disqualify yourself from serving God because you feel “unqualified,” inexperienced, or ordinary? This week, resist that temptation. Instead, focus on being with Jesus — in prayer, scripture, and daily attentiveness — trusting that God works powerfully through ordinary lives yielded to him.
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Thank you that you call ordinary people
to share in your extraordinary work.
Forgive us when we measure ourselves
by worldly standards and credentials.
Help us to remain close to you,
that our lives may reflect your courage,
your compassion, and your truth.
Fill us with your Spirit,
and use us for your purposes,
just as we are.
Amen.
