Acts 3:6
Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."
And with those words a chain of events began to unfold that would change some lives forever. The crippled man stood on his own legs – he walked - he ran – he jumped . . . And he praised God. There was no small stir created there in the temple courts. Peter preached. People heard and believed in Jesus as their Messiah . . . and Peter and John were arrested for preaching heresy. . . (not that it was heresy, that is just what the Jewish leaders accused them of)
What was it that motivated Peter to say to this crippled man – walk? This man did not ask to be healed. He was simply begging for money like he did every other day while sitting next to the entrance to the temple courts. So what caused Peter to make this bold declaration, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."
The answer has to include the fact, that is what Jesus had told the disciples to do. We read in Matthew 10:7-8
As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
We read the closing words to the Gospel of Mark – which are some of the final words that Jesus spoke before ascending back into heaven -
Mark 16:17-18 (NIV)
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; [18] they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
Peter believed and acted on the word that Jesus had given to him. He really believed that he had been commissioned to minister to people in the name of Jesus. He really expected that when he acted in accordance with the will and character of Jesus that something would happen. He believed that healing was not only possible – it was to be expected.
The question that comes to mind today is, was that power only available to Peter and John? Was it God’s intention that only the early church would experience those incredible miracles of divine intervention? OR – should we be expecting God to do the same kind of things today? Has God’s power diminished? Or has our faith become weak and/or misdirected?
Peter and John were brought before the Jewish council to give account for their actions. The Jews that were so against Jesus wanted to silence these men for good. Peter spoke to these men with great courage and understanding of the scriptures that they claimed to hold dear. The former crippled man was a testimony that could not be refuted – he had been miraculously healed. There is a statement made in Acts 4:13 that catches my attention. Acts 4:13 . . . and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
I am not really sure just what they meant by that statement. It could have meant that they remembered seeing these guys with Jesus when he was ministering throughout Judea and Galilee. Or, it could mean that these religious leaders looked at these men and thought – didn’t we get rid of that man Jesus? Didn’t we silence him and put an end to his miracles that he did among the people? As we listen to these guys talk and see what they have done – it is as if Jesus is still here!
My final question this morning is, do people perceive that we have been with Jesus? Is there evidence in the way we speak and act that indicates we spend significant time in his presence? Are we living as agents of His kingdom? (And I don’t mean “secret agents”!) Oh to be filled with the Spirit so that we too will boldly speak the word of the Lord into the arena of our lives, and see the Kingdom of God manifested in power!
Suggested Readings To Read Through The Bible In A Year
Thur. March 24, 2011 Deut. 1, Acts 3, Psalm 73:15-28, Prov. 24
Fri. March 25, 2011 Deut. 2-3, Acts 4, Psalm 74:1-11, Proverbs25
Sat. March 26, 2011 Deut. 4, Acts 5, Psalm 74:12-23, Proverbs 26
Sun. March 27, 2011 Deut. 5-6, Acts 6, Psalm 75, Proverbs27
Mon. March 28, 2011 Deut. 7-8, Acts 7, Psalm 76, Proverbs 28
Tues. March 29, 2011 Deut. 9-10, Acts 8, Psalm 77, Proverbs 29
Wed. March 30, 2011 Deut. 11-12, Acts 9, Psalm 78:1-20, Prov. 30