Yesterday, we saw how Peter and John during their faithfulness to the Lord took the time to notice a fellow person’s very real needs and came up to the point of meeting his needs thereby supplying action to their faith. Let’s hear how the story unfolds.
And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him
up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he
stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking
and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising
God; and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the
Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and
amazement at what had happened to him. While he was clinging to Peter and John
all the people ran together to them at the so-called portico of Solomon, full
of amazement. Acts
3:7-11 NASB
Peter touches the man.
Peter and John have already surprised the beggar by fixing their
attention on him and not just looking past him. Peter then takes the bold step
of reaching down and taking him by the hand. Let’s think about how powerful
this action would seem to the beggar. A man ignored by society, hardly ever
even noticed is now touched by someone who has taken the time to offer him a
kind of hope never before imagined.
The man stands up.
The book of Acts records what happens next – a miracle! The man, with
Peter’s help, stands up. As he does, his feet and ankles strengthen. The text says
that he leaped onto his feet. He had never walked before in his life and now he
finds himself dancing before the temple. What must he be thinking? He clings to
Peter and John overwhelmed by their generous act.
All are astonished.
But he would not be the only person astonished that day. The crowd who
had come to worship at the temple saw what happened. The Bible says that they
were filled with wonder and amazement. Why
shouldn’t they be? How often do you see someone healed? This event draws a
crowd. Peter and John suddenly find themselves in a position to share about the
One from whom this power emanates. Here is where the purpose of Christ’s
engagement in our daily lives becomes clear.
Who was at work?
We must notice that it was
not Peter who healed this man. Peter healed the man in the name of Jesus
Christ. The Biblical understanding of
the term “name” is a great deal more than an appellation, than what you call
something. The term “name” connotes among other things, character, nature and
presence. The idea that Peter heals the man in the name of Jesus goes so far as
to say that Jesus’ character, his nature, indeed, his very presence is there
causing the healing to take place. We know this is possible because of the Holy
Spirit who had descended on the apostles on Pentecost in the previous chapter.
Who is at work around us?
Peter and John were able to accomplish this wonderful deed through the power of the living Savior in their lives. Their accomplishment began by being faithful in worship and faithful in service to others for the Lord. They were attuned to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and were ready when the moment arrived to do a wonderful work. The same power is available for each of us who are called according to the Name of the Lord. If we are walking faithfully with Him and we are intentionally looking for opportunities to minister, we will find them.
Who am I supposed to serve today
through the presence of Jesus in my life?
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