Numbers
Have you ever read something that seemed so incredulous, it couldn’t be right? Last month, I opened our utility bill (water, sewer, garbage, electricity combined) and said, “WHAT??? That can’t be right!” No way could we have a bill of $10,178.87. I didn’t panic, knowing it was obviously an error. Dear hubby went out and checked the meter, which was not much different than it was at last month’s reading. He called them first thing the next morning and told them where their error was (data entry), which they agreed, and it was changed to $180.07, much more reasonable. Entering the wrong reading numbers made a huge difference! The only thing we were concerned about was that it was an automatic draft and we certainly didn’t have that kind of money in our checking account.
There are places in Scripture where numbers seem just as incredulous. The feeding of the five thousand men (women and children not counted) with five loaves and two fish comes to mind. A boy’s lunch blessed by the Lord! Battles where eighty thousand were killed in one day, or twenty thousand, or one hundred eighty-five thousand without even a battle. Oil multiplied in empty jars. And then there’s the book of Acts, where I’m currently reading.
“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’
Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” Acts 2:37-41
Three thousand people on that day? I can’t even imagine a gathering of that size where that many people would come to know Jesus at one time! I remember going to Billy Graham Crusades where there were thousands in attendance, but most of them were already believers. How could three thousand IN ONE DAY be saved?
If you read above that passage, Peter has been explaining to those in attendance what has happened at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the one hundred and twenty who were gathered together to pray. Others heard them speaking in their languages, languages that were not the native tongue of those speaking, yet they were understood clearly. They were praying to start with (that was key)—what were they praying? Praising God? Attesting to His Son? Was this what the others heard?
At the point of confusion, Peter began to explain to the crowd just what had happened with the life, crucifixion, and resurrection of which they had been witnesses. His message was so compelling that the response of the people was, “Brethren, what shall we do?” In other words, what do we do now?
Our current society is not much different than the audience of Peter’s message. It is multicultural, it is confused, it is searching for something to fill the void in their lives. They did it by trying to keep the Law and by sacrifices, by participating in the feasts. We do it by trying to achieve—wealth, careers, prestige, even good deeds. Others try by conquering, demeaning, or controlling. So many are still searching.
All they really need to hear is the simple gospel message, that Jesus was the Son of God, He came to earth to teach us about God and to give His life as the payment for our sins. He died, was buried, and rose again on the third day. He sits at the right hand of God and will one day come again.
Can you imagine what would happen if we boldly shared the gospel with those around us, as Peter did? Do we have expectations when we share that they will respond, even in ones and twos? Maybe we would see great numbers of people come to know Him, too. Maybe even incredulous numbers of people, to His glory!
