Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?Acts 3:1-11 ESV
This healing was dramatic, it caused a stir, it caused crowds to gather around Peter and John in the temple but, even with all the drama, the healing itself was not the focus. The man was healed in the name of Jesus and Peter used the opportunity of the crowds gathering to point to that name again. He didn't tell the people - yes God (or even Jesus) can heal and he can do it again, bring out all the sick - even though that is true. The focus of attention is the healer not the healing, the healing is just the context and catalyst for people to hear about Jesus
No comments:
Post a Comment