When A Dead Man Says 'Walk'

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. (Acts 3:13-16)

I think Peter took a certain joy in reminding the pious men of Israel about Jesus' crucifixion. Remember: some of these men know good and well they can't explain the resurrection; that's why they had to bribe the guards at Jesus' tomb. So, Peter reminded them, they denied Jesus' claims about Himself were true, and killed him to prove the point. He made a rather strong counter-argument by refusing to stay buried. 

I can see why Peter enjoyed needling them about it a little. In this one paragraph, Peter stripped these men of their authority to criticize (i.e., "hey wait, didn't you only recently let a murderer go free so you could kill a just and innocent man?") and established the power and authority of Christ to accomplish His will.

Peter wanted these men to understand that they, Peter and John, were acting under the authority of Christ, who was given authority of the Holy and Just, as the Prince of life, by the God who raised Him from the dead. 

Put another way, this man Jesus was killed, but then by the power of God was raised back from the dead. That kind of power is unmistakable. That kind of power is so great that the mere name of the One who holds it is enough, through faith, to heal the hopeless.

But what kind of faith? That's the question. If His name is enough, through faith, to heal, how strong must one's faith be? Does anyone actually have that kind of faith? Verse 16 has the answer: the faith we need comes through Him in whom we have faith. If Christ has enough power in His name to heal, He certainly has authority, too, to provide the faith we need to make it possible.

Why Do You Marvel?

Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? (Acts 3:11-12)

A man, lame from birth, suddenly leaps up and joyously declares he has been healed. It's fair to say if you or I witnessed the event, we'd be pretty surprised. Shocked, even. We would praise God, and perhaps even think more highly of the men through whom this miracle was enacted. So, I have to say, the peoples' reaction to the healing of Acts 3 really doesn't seem inappropriate. But Peter's response is interesting. We're going to look, in the next two days, at the two questions he asks of the witnesses. He begins by asking the men of Israel -- those gathered at the Temple -- "why do you marvel at this?"

I think Peter chose his words very carefully here. Notice, he addressed the crowd, Men of Israel. These weren't Romans or other pagans. These were Israelites. These were people raised on the Law and Prophets, whose very lives and culture were meant to be a reflection of God's glory. Indeed, these were His chosen people. So, when Peter addresses this group, "Men of Israel," with that title comes the full weight of their entire history. "People of God," he is essentially saying, "you who were brought out of Egypt, who were led by smoke during the day and fire at night, who were fed on bread from the Hand of God, to whom God delivered the Promised Land... you who were delivered from your enemies time and time again, who were given His Ark to carry before you, the people of Abraham's covenant... this amazes you?"

What Peter seems to be asking is a question many of us should ask ourselves: do you not know who God is? 

I once heard a pastor say that once you get past the first phrase of Scripture, "In the Beginning, God," everything else is possible. All the miracles, all the healings, the work and ministry of Jesus, the empowering by His Spirit... if we know who God is, we must expect the unexpected. We must anticipate the miraculous. The God we serve isn't bound by our physics. He isn't limited by our handicaps. He is the God of Wonders. We are reminded in Acts 3 that when you serve a God of wonders, you learn to allow Him to move as He will, and be prepared for the impossible.

Hey, This Isn't What I Asked For!

Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. (Acts 3:6-8)

Do you recognize the movement of God in your life?

When the man lying at the gate saw Peter and John, he raised his hands and begged for alms. Born lame, begging for money was the only life this man knew. It was all he understood. That was the way of the culture; he could not take care of himself, so he lay by the temple gate and asked the children of God to help him. When they noticed him and stopped, the man had no expectation beyond the usual: that they would provide him with whatever they had available to give him, and be on their way. 

Instead, they gave him much more. They gave him a chance. A new life. And, as we see in verse 8, this formerly lame beggar responded appropriately. 

I wonder how many of us would have fallen back down, content to maintain the status quo. How often have we begged God for something, only to have Him respond in a way so much bigger than we had dared hope? And how often does that happen, but we reject the gift because it wasn't what we asked for?

Can you imagine what it would have looked like if the lame man had rejected this healing? "Hey, wait a minute, guys! I don't know how to do anything but beg! What am I gonna do now?!" He would have seemed pretty ungrateful, right?

Yet, how often do we say the same thing to God? "That's not what I asked for, God. What am I gonna do with this?"

Trust God. Trust that He knows His plan for you, and that it's better than you could ever plan for yourself. Trust that whatever happens will be to His glory. If you have the faith to ask, have the faith, too, to accept His answer, whatever it is, and to praise Him for the answering. 

Learn to understand that God will bless in His own way, and that His way is far superior to our own, and you will find yourself blessed beyond measure.

Silver and Gold I Have Not

Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:1-6)

It's easy to become overwhelmed when we look at the need in the world around us. Millions in need of food, water, shelter, medical care... the list, sadly, goes on and on. Charities great and small crop up around these specific needs, and all vie for your attention -- and money. You can't even buy a Happy Meal without being hit up for a donation, and for the most part, the cause is always worthwhile and important. And maybe that's not so bad, a dollar here or there. Perhaps you're even making real sacrifices and giving even when it's inconvenient. But you still wonder if you're doing enough. Whether it's making a difference at all. 

Maybe you're like me and have serious doubts you'll ever be able to afford to make a real difference. But when I think that way, it's because I've forgotten one of a few very important facts about both need and the Call to help those in need. 

First, money is a tool. A gift. It is given to us that we might sustain our families and bless others. But it isn't the only tool. In fact, you may not have any money at all... but you can still be a blessing to those in need. When Peter and John went to the temple in Acts 3, they didn't have any money on them. But they did have the empowerment of Christ to give this man in need something even better. And that's the second fact we need to remember: if God calls us to help, He gives us the means to do so. Maybe it's not what you think it ought to be, or what the world think it's looking for... but it's nevertheless exactly the right thing at the right time. 

Maybe what you have to offer is comfort. A listening ear. The ability to care for others, to pray for others, to provide nourishment. You never know what the Spirit will lay on you, when you're willing to listen. Maybe, He'll even call you to heal. The point is to be available. The point is to stop worrying about what you can't do, and listen instead for what God wants to do through you. 

The third fact we learn from this story is that you don't need to worry about changing the entire world. Focus instead on those who God puts right in front of you. Love those people. Care for them. Do that, and you really are changing the world.

Miracles 1: The God of the Mundane (repost)

(Originally posted Nov 12, 2012. My Wednesday night class was discussing miracles, and I remembered this. Part 2 coming Monday.)

Miracles 1: The God of the Mundane

I've noticed something about the miracles of Jesus: no matter the reason for the miracle, no matter how big or how small, Jesus performed it with the same attitude and nonchalance as if He were carrying a box from one room to another. Something was one way; He wanted it to be another way. He made it happen.

He walked on water, as though He were walking down the street. He commanded a storm to be still as if telling His dog to "sit. Stay." He can do that. He created the water, and the storm.

I think we often feel as though a miracle ought to be accompanied by fanfare. As though we have to sing and dance and shout, and announce from on high before God will so much as heal a cataract. Televangelists have an organ playing obnoxiously before dancing down the aisle, raising up a trembling hand, and smacking a troubled audience member while declaring, "Be Healed!"

Jesus spat in some mud, smeared it on some guy's eye and told him to wash his face (John 9:1-7).

Very often, when we look for miracles at the hand of the God of the Universe, we're looking for some big announcement: Hey, look! I'm performing a miracle over here! Thunder! Lightning!

But the Jesus of the Bible just says, "Get up and walk." (Luke 5:22-24)

The truth is, when we look for the mighty miracles, for the trumpets to sound and a voice to come over the wind, we miss the every-day miracles. And when we miss the miraculous in the every day, we also miss the chance to be a part of a miracle ourselves.

A New, Unopened Box Of God (repost)

(originally posted Oct 18, 2012)

Remember miracles? Remember when the people of God saw visions and dreamed dreams, and the Spirit of God moved in the Church, filling and causing some to speak in tongues, and some to interpret, and some to prophesy, and some to heal, and some to discern good spirits from evil?

Remember that?

Whatever happened to that,  anyway?

Does all that seem a little far-fetched? A little science-fictiony or scary? A little bit kooky, perhaps?

Why is that? Paul talked about exactly these things to the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 12), didn't he? Are things so different now that God has ceased to move in these ways in our Church, and in His people? Surely, some Christians -- even pastors -- will say, even if He really DID cause miracles to happen (which, depending on your church, may now be seen to have a perfectly natural, logical, and un-supernatural explanation), He no longer moves that way now.

Now the Holy Spirit moves us to... what? Tentatively raise our hands in church? Clap shyly and without rhythm -- but only if everyone else is clapping, too? Pray for one another by nodding along when the pastor says their names, and then grudgingly put our check in the offering plate?

I miss miracles. I miss the Supernatural power of God. But I begin to wonder: did God pull His Power away from us, or did we merely stop asking for it?

Happy Willing To Lend A Hand Day

Possibly the most important lesson I'm having trouble teaching my children is the importance of helping. We don't help because it's our job to help. We don't help only when we get something out of it, or because we're simply cleaning up after ourselves (although this last would be great if done more often, too!). Maybe one of the reasons it's so important to me that my kids learn this lesson is that I've met adults who seem to have not learned it.

You know some of those people: they're the men who watch football while their wives fold laundry, do dishes, make supper, and carry in the groceries. They're the people who see a person in need standing on the street corner and cluck their tongues in disgust. They're the people who leave a church because they aren't "being fed," even though they've done nothing themselves to feed others. They're the ones who complain the loudest about whatever problems are happening in church, but have yet to hold a paintbrush, or work with the children, or make themselves available to assist on any level beyond that which they might consider their personal "ministry," assuming they even have one.

But as always, we needn't look to other people to provide an example of selfless, helpful love. We can look to God. If you want to see love in action, picture Jesus: exhausted, emotionally and even spiritually drained. He's been preaching. He's been calling disciples. He's been healing. And we know from Mark 5 that when He heals, he can feel the power flowing out from Himself (verse 30). And yet, called to the bedside of a dead girl, He will still summon the strength to command her to awaken.

When He left this earth physically, He sent His spirit -- who He named "Helper" (John 14:26) to aid us. Think of it! The God of the Universe -- the God who made Himself flesh and allowed himself to be crucified, to take upon Himself the punishment designed for us, in retribution of our sins -- would continue to help us, even now!

We're a needy people. Thank God we have a Loving Helper.

Wounds

This is a hard world. A world where, from a young age, children learn to hate without provocation, while others learn to either fight back or keep their heads down. A world where our childhood fears and troubles grow right along with us into adulthood. A world where some folks are out for themselves, stepping on anyone they have to in order to reach the top of whatever ladder it is they're climbing, and where some folks are fighting just to survive another day, week, year.

It's been said nobody gets out of here alive; certainly none of us will escape unharmed.  Wounds -- physical, emotional, spiritual -- are the price of admission, and the price will be paid by each of us.

We read in Scripture about a Great Physician, who heals the sick, give sight to the blind, makes the lame walk, gives life to the dead, and forgives sin. Yet, somewhere along the way, many of us have decided that some wounds run too deep to find real healing.We have this idea that we, somehow, are uniquely troubled; that we must find a way to heal ourselves before we present ourselves to the Father.

But not only do we not need to fix our own brokenness, the truth is, it simply can't be done. Jesus said,  

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
    For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek
    For they shall inherit the earth. (Mt 5:3-5)

He's not looking for people who have it all together; He wants those who understand they don't. It doesn't matter what you've done in the past, who you were, or who you think you are. It doesn't matter, to Jesus, what others think of you, or how others treat you. He made you. He loves you. He sacrificed Himself in one of the most painful ways possible just to bring you near to Him. And you think that, somehow, you are too broken? If Jesus can raise the dead, and make saints of prostitutes and tax collectors, He can handle your baggage, too.

You are broken... and that's exactly where you need to be. Now, seek healing.

Miracles 1: The God of the Mundane

I've noticed something about the miracles of Jesus: no matter the reason for the miracle, no matter how big or how small, Jesus performed it with the same attitude and nonchalance as if He were carrying a box from one room to another. Something was one way; He wanted it to be another way. He made it happen.

He walked on water, as though He were walking down the street. He commanded a storm to be still as if telling His dog to "sit. Stay." He can do that. He created the water, and the storm.

I think we often feel as though a miracle ought to be accompanied by fanfare. As though we have to sing and dance and shout, and announce from on high before God will so much as heal a cataract. Televangelists have an organ playing obnoxiously before dancing down the aisle, raising up a trembling hand, and smacking a troubled audience member while declaring, "Be Healed!"

Jesus spat in some mud, smeared it on some guy's eye and told him to wash his face (John 9:1-7).

Very often, when we look for miracles at the hand of the God of the Universe, we're looking for some big announcement: Hey, look! I'm performing a miracle over here! Thunder! Lightning!

But the Jesus of the Bible just says, "Get up and walk." (Luke 5:22-24)

The truth is, when we look for the mighty miracles, for the trumpets to sound and a voice to come over the wind, we miss the every-day miracles. And when we miss the miraculous in the every day, we also miss the chance to be a part of a miracle ourselves.

(Coming up tomorrow... "Who brought the Fish" -- how God uses us to perform His great works)

A New, Unopened Box of God

Remember miracles? Remember when the people of God saw visions and dreamed dreams, and the Spirit of God moved in the Church, filling and causing some to speak in tongues, and some to interpret, and some to prophesy, and some to heal, and some to discern good spirits from evil?

Remember that?

Whatever happened to that,  anyway?

Does all that seem a little far-fetched? A little science-fictiony or scary? A little bit kooky, perhaps?

Why is that? Paul talked about exactly these things to the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 12), didn't he? Are things so different now that God has ceased to move in these ways in our Church, and in His people? Surely, some Christians -- even pastors -- will say, even if He really DID cause miracles to happen (which, depending on your church, may now be seen to have a perfectly natural, logical, and un-supernatural explanation), He no longer moves that way now.

Now the Holy Spirit moves us to... what? Tentatively raise our hands in church? Clap shyly and without rhythm -- but only if everyone else is clapping, too? Pray for one another by nodding along when the pastor says their names, and then grudgingly put our check in the offering plate?

I miss miracles. I miss the Supernatural power of God. But I begin to wonder: did God pull His Power away from us, or did we merely stop asking for it?