MAN APPROVED OF GOD

Peter’s presentation of the gospel was the presentation of a man. The man was Jesus the Nazarene. His humanity was perfect, but His humanity did not detract from His deity, which was absolute. In Him, and in Him alone, were perfectly combined all the attributes of deity and impeccable humanity. The prophet said of Him, ‘they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us’, Matt. 1. 23. We notice first in our text a word of demonstration. The word ‘approved’ does not suggest something in retrospect but is rather a presentation, or a bearing of testimony. J. N. Darby translates, ‘a man borne witness to by God to you’. In the Lord Jesus, God was presenting a man who was, in all His ways, all that God desired and required in a man. Additionally, God was testifying to and confirming the true character of this man, and His acceptance of Him, in all the miraculous deeds which He did. Nicodemus recognized His character when he said, ‘Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him’, John 3. 2.

Our text tells us of the dependence of this man. The miracles He did are the miracles ‘God did by him’. Luke is the gospel which presents the Lord Jesus in devoted, dependent manhood. His manhood was essential. He who would be Redeemer must become ‘for a little while ... lower than the angels ... that by the grace of God he should taste death for everyone’, Heb. 2.9 ESV. It was only as a man that the Captain of our salvation could be made perfect through sufferings. It was only as a man that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest.

The man approved of God was ‘despised and rejected of men’, Isa. 53. 3. He was taken by wicked hands and crucified and slain. The message of the gospel is a message which must be seen against the background of the depravity of man. But Peter’s message did not end with the death of this man. God raised Him from the dead! Death could not hold Him, ‘it was not possible that he should be holden of it’, Acts 2. 24. He who was delivered up in death was delivered from death in His resurrection. What a contrast to all other men!