Emphasis Preaching Journal

There was a volume written some years ago about the establishment of the nation Israel entitled, Cast a Giant Shadow, by Ted Berkman. It told the story of Mickey Marcus and how he contributed to the founding of the Jewish state. He never held office in the Zionist state, but due to his military acumen, he had a profound influence upon the creation of Israel; hence, he was the one who cast a giant shadow for others to see.

During its infancy, one of those figures who also cast a giant shadow in the life of the church was Peter. It was Peter who preached the gospel on the Day of Pentecost and 3,000 persons were baptized that day. It was Peter who served as one of the pillars of the Jerusalem church. It was Peter who would later realize through a dream that the gospel was for the Gentiles. Yet, this Peter, who cast such a large shadow over the development of the early church, had a short time earlier been found hiding in the shadows as they took Jesus to Caiaphas' house. How do you account for such a dramatic change in Peter's spirit?

The only explanation is that the Resurrection of Christ transformed Peter's timidity into a deep conviction, that later was empowered by the Risen Lord's Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. Even today, the church is in need of men and women who will cast giant shadows by their faith.