Power in the Name of Jesus
Acts chapter two is perhaps a “typical” day for Peter and John. I begin my day typically this way: this morning I had my coffee, checked my email on my phone, read a devotional like this one, and spent some time in prayer. It was customary for Peter and John as part of their typical day to go to the temple three times per day 9:00 am, Noon, and 3:00 afternoon to pray. It was normal for them to go to pray in the afternoon as it was for me to pray in the morning. However, I suspect there ends the similarity between my day and Peter and John’s day.
As Peter and John went to pray, they stopped to respond to a lame beggar at the “Beautiful Gate” as they entered the temple. This beggar had been lame from birth and had been carried to this spot by the gate every day for who knows how long but indeed as long as Peter and John had been walking through this gate up to three times every day to go to prayer. Perhaps even Jesus saw this beggar as he entered the gate to the temple. Peter and John just never “saw” the beggar before today. I wonder how many “lame beggars” we have walked by and have just never seen them. Perhaps Jesus did not heal this man as he had healed the crippled man at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:18) because He knew what would happen this day in the life of Peter and John. Peter would call upon Jesus to heal the “lame beggar”.
Peter and John stopped and looked into the eyes of the man and said, “Look at us.” I am sure the lame beggar thought okay I wonder how much they are going to give me. But Peter said “I have no silver and gold. (I am quite sure the beggar was now downcast. and disappointed) but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!;” Acts 3:6 The beggar was shocked to find that his lameness was gone.
What must I do?
Having lived in Southeast Asia, I have seen lame people begging in the outdoor market and I have walked past them wishing I could heal them. Peter and the rest of the apostles were given authority by Jesus to “heal every disease and every affliction” (Matthew 10:1). They were “equipped” to do miracles. In Matthew 10 Jesus sent the apostles out in pairs to proclaim the Gospel. This was sort of a practicum for them as Jesus expected them to continue doing this when He would leave and return to the Father. Today was the day for this lame man to be healed and hear the Gospel Message. I have never received the gift of healing or been commissioned by Jesus to heal people like the Apostles were, but that doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t help those in need. I can at least give of myself in the name of Jesus.
Questions to Ponder
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How can you be prepared to help a person in need this week?
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What crippled area of your life needs Jesus’ healing touch?
Questions are from WORDsearch, Adult Questions for LESSONmaker (WORDsearch, n.d.).