Read: Acts 3:1-10
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk! (v. 6)
There were twelve entry ways into the ancient Temple Mount in Jerusalem. One of them was called the “Beautiful Gate,” partly because of its exquisite ornamentation and partly because of the extraordinary healings that happened there. It was there that Peter and John were stopped by a man lame from birth. When he saw Peter and John, he seized his chance and cried for help. He received so much more than he could have ever hoped for—complete healing in the name of Jesus.
I’ve never been blessed to participate in a healing of this nature. But I’ve been blessed more than once to see the results of healing in the lives of people that I’ve loved and served as a pastor. I’ve witnessed firsthand the weight of guilt and shame being lifted from a broken heart, and of strength being renewed in a weary soul who presses on through their weariness. I’ve seen clarity of thought given to a person helplessly confused by their circumstances. These are healings too. Jesus Christ healed then and Jesus Christ heals now.
The marvelous healing in today’s Bible reading is preceded by Peter looking intently at the lame man. And this is an action step for us. Begin to look more intently at people and you may be surprised by how much pain you see, and correspondingly how much help you can offer in the name of Jesus.
As you pray, thank God for his healing power. Ask him to enlist you in his healing ministry.
Dr. Timothy Brown is the Henry Bast Professor of Preaching and President Emeritus at Western Theological Seminary where he served from 1995-2021. Tim continues to actively coach and encourage former students and pastors who seek help in their preaching life and he has become a certified public school substitute teacher so that he can continue investing in the lives of young people. He is married to Nancy and together they have three children and ten grandchildren.
