The Same Jesus – Seek Him – Know Him – Serve Him.

The Same Jesus

Following Jesus From the Edges

Pastor Calvin Cook

June 16, 2026

“By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong.” — Acts 3:16

Imagine the scene.

Just moments before, a man who had been lame from birth was sitting at the temple gate begging for help. For years, people had walked past him. They knew his face. They knew his condition. They knew his story.

Then Peter and John arrived.

“Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:6)

Immediately the man stood, walked, jumped, and praised God. The crowd gathered in amazement. Skeptics showed up. Critics showed up. Doubters showed up. Those who wanted to dismiss what had happened showed up.

And Peter stood before them and boldly declared:

“You handed Him over to be killed… You killed the author of life, but God raised Him from the dead.” (Acts 3:13-15)

In other words, Peter said, “This is the same Jesus you crucified.”

The same Jesus. Not a different message. Not a different Savior. Not a different Gospel.

The same Jesus who died on the cross now stood victorious through the power of His resurrection. And that same Jesus stands before us today. He is still the One who heals broken hearts. He is still the One who transforms lives trapped by sin. He is still the One who redeems what seems lost. He is still the One who forgives, restores, and saves.

The world around us may have changed, but Jesus has not. The same Jesus who called fishermen beside the Sea of Galilee still calls ordinary people today. The same Jesus who forgave Peter after his failure still offers grace to those who have fallen. The same Jesus who welcomed children, touched lepers, and restored outcasts still reaches those whom society overlooks. The same Jesus who conquered death still offers eternal life.

Many people today are searching for answers in politics, money, possessions, success, entertainment, and personal achievement. Yet none of those things can heal the deepest needs of the human heart. Jesus reminded us: “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

When we seek His kingdom first, we discover what truly matters. When we seek His kingdom first, we find peace in the middle of uncertainty. When we seek His kingdom first, we discover purpose greater than ourselves. When we seek His kingdom first, we experience the transforming power of the same Jesus Peter proclaimed in Acts 3.

The question for us is simple: What are we seeking today? Are we seeking temporary solutions or the eternal Savior? Are we looking for what Jesus can give us, or are we seeking Jesus Himself?

Peter stood before the crowd and pointed them beyond a miracle to the Miracle Worker. May we do the same. The lame man was healed, but the greater miracle was that people were invited to meet Jesus.

The same Jesus.

The One who heals.

The One who transforms.

The One who redeems.

The One who saves.

And He is still calling people to Himself today.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Help us to seek first Your kingdom above all else. Heal what is broken within us, transform our hearts, redeem our lives, and draw us closer to You. May we boldly proclaim the same Jesus that Peter proclaimed so long ago. Amen.