Scripture - Acts 3:11-16 While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.
Observation - I have always loved this portion of scripture. Peter and John are on their way to church and they see a man laying there by the door that is in need of help. Since he was born the man could not walk and had to beg for everything he had. Peter walks by the man and through a bit of dialogue he tells the man to get up in the "name of Jesus". The man goes leaping through the temple as an unruly display for all to see. He was completely healed. In my life, I have focused on this healing and thought how miraculous it was, but today I am seeing a new emphasis from Peter. Peter uses this opportunity - the unruly display of healing - to get peoples attention and to speak to them about Jesus. He indignantly says "Why are you standing here in amazement, Jesus can do so much more than this for your lives". He uses this opportunity to bring attention to Jesus. I think so many times we get stuck at the miracle and forget the Jesus of the miracle. Peter began to preach the gospel through the healing and in conjunction with the healing. No discredit to the guy who was cured, but it was a miracle that allowed the people to see what kind of God we serve.
Application - Boy do I believe in healing. I believe it, I want it, I pray for it. The miraculous God has always intrigued me and excited me. The fact that people don't have to hurt and don't have to live in pain that doctors can't figure out how to cure is amazing to me. I love it when God shows off in public and makes a grand display of His power. However, I need to understand the purpose. The purpose is not only to bring a touch to the individuals life, but also to show His son Jesus to the world. God shows up not to put on a performance but to point to Jesus. As Peter said, "It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can ALL see." I need to always point the signs and wonders to Jesus.
Prayer - Father, let is always be about your son. You created this whole world and from the beginning you had Him on your mind. Let there never be a moment in my day or in my life that I am not pointing the crowds to your son. I want Him to be the most important thing to me and to the church I serve. I love you today and always. Amen.
