Thoughts for the Day

Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s Portico, utterly astonished. When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, ‘You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you.

‘And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah appointed for you, that is, Jesus, who must remain in heaven until the time of universal restoration that God announced long ago through his holy prophets.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Try to imagine the scene in Jerusalem at the time of our scripture reading - with the coming of the Holy Spirit more and more people are joining the movement of those who are following Jesus. At times of festivity the city almost bursts with Jews from around the world. Where could these new believers meet? The ideal place might have been the Temple, except that its spaces were divided into separate strictly defined and separated courtyards - for, gentiles, for women, for men, and for priests.

'Solomon's Portico' (sometimes called 'Solomon's Colonnade') was a covered walkway within the Temple complex open to all. The portico had been built by Herod the Great as part of the refurbishment of the Second Temple and overlooked the Kidron Valley (with access to the Mount of Olives and to Bethany). It was a popular place for the public to meet and was to serve as a gathering place for the early believers - a place for teaching and where the Apostles demonstrated the power of the Holy Spirit through miraculous acts.

The gatherings in Solomon's Portico emphasises the communal aspect of the early church, its unity, and its shared faith. The boldness and authority given to the disciples by the Holy Spirit, is awe-inspiring, as they proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus and performed signs and wonders.

Lord Jesus Christ,
may we not look at the story of the early Church
as though it has no relevance to today;
as though it's an interesting story.
May we take seriously the thought that the Holy Spirit
breathes in our present world,
whenever believers turn to You,
whenever they seek Your help,
and whenever acts of love are shown.
Amen.