Unschooled. Ordinary. These were the words used to describe Peter and John by the rulers, the elders, the high priest and the teachers of the law. Words that were meant to convey their low position in society. Words to indicate they were unknowledgeable and of little importance. But in the same verse we also have the words astonished and courage. What was so astonishing and courageous about these two unschooled and ordinary men that caused those of the upper echelons of society to take note of them?  

Peter and John were fishermen. They had not gone to school like those who were looking down on them yet spoke as if they had. How were these two uneducated and simple fishermen able to speak of things with such clarity, strength and conviction? The only plausible answer seemed to be their relationship with Jesus. Their time with Jesus had transformed them into courageous men who powerfully and expertly shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ amongst the very people who had rejected and unjustly killed their leader.  

Take note. Their time with Jesus had transformed them from ordinary, unschooled fishermen into brave orators of the Gospel. Sometimes we can see ourselves as ordinary and unschooled to do what God has called us to. How can I go to minister in a foreign country when I don’t speak the language? How can I teach about Jesus when Christianity is banned here in my assigned country? How can I encourage women, whose shoes I’ve never walked in, to trust Jesus as they are crippled by unfair treatment in their own country?  

We might ask questions like these as we are sent out like Peter, John and the other apostles. But we are not called to just go. If we look at John and Peter’s lives, they were called to go after they spent time with Jesus. Time with Jesus transformed them and equipped them for the call. What they lacked, they were filled with through the Holy Spirit as Jesus promised. Time with Jesus is not just about getting to know Him but also about being equipped for the call. And it’s not a one-off time with Him. It’s a continuous fellowship that prepares us for whatever may come our way as we obediently go wherever He sends us; especially those spaces and places that are unfamiliar and uncomfortable. It’s then we see the Lord transform us into courageous servants who give him the platform to do His astonishing work!