Read: Acts 3:11-26
And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know. (v. 16)
Many years ago, during my time at Western Seminary, I was blessed to have an office next to Dr. Stan Rock. One morning, he stopped by my office and asked me how I was doing. I said disingenuously, “I’m just fine.” It wasn’t true. A merciless cancer was taking my dad’s life one painful day after another. Stan said to me, “Look at me.” When I did, he said, “Well, you don’t look very good. What’s wrong?” I began to weep and told him everything on my heart. And somewhere in the midst of my telling, my heart began to open to God’s healing presence.
There is a verse in Proverbs that ripples with hope and is a fitting commentary on our passage today: “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe” (Prov. 18:10 NRSV). Isn’t that precisely what happens in the beauty of Solomon’s Portico and what Peter points to in our reading today? In the name of Jesus, Peter commanded a man lame from birth first to look at him, and then to take up his mat and walk. It wasn’t Peter’s power that did it (v. 12), but healing was possible because Peter stopped and looked, and then called on the name of Jesus.
You and I have our Father’s eyes. Look at the people that God brings to you today, and invite Jesus to work in their lives.
As you pray, ask God to open your eyes to the people around you.
About the Author
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.
