No Other Name by Which We Must Be Saved

This meditation is based on a passage for August 5, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Acts 4:1-12

Reflection and Question: Peter and John have caught the attention of the authorities. Arrested and held for questioning, Peter welcomes the opportunity to answer the question, “By what name do you do this?” He is filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaims that salvation is in no other name than Jesus Christ of Nazareth. But Peter falls short of saying that we must all invoke Jesus’ name in order to be saved, a distinction we often miss. While Jesus is the only one who saves, neither saying that, nor knowing it, is required. Who do you know who has been saved without knowing it?

Prayer: Most loving Jesus, we know as Peter does that You alone have the power to save, to keep us safe and make us whole. We also know Your Spirit blows where It will, saving without care for recognition or response. Keep working, we pray. Amen.