Daily Bread 2011 - Acts 3
Daily Bread 2011 – Acts 3
Text: Peter Speaks to the Onlookers
11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
What Does This Mean?
This text follows the story of Peter and John’s encounter with the beggar at the temple who had been lame from birth. As they encountered him Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”
Of course this brought on a lot of attention to Peter and John. Many came running and wanting to find out who were these guys? Peter does an important here. He clarifies that it is not by his power or godliness that this man was made to walk. Then they tie in Jesus’ resurrection and how Jesus was killed and their being witnesses of this. Importantly through the power of the resurrection they can proclaim, “It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed, as you all can see.”
This reminds us that all healing that takes place on earth is a witness of Jesus and the power of His name, which was proved through His resurrection. It does not depend on how we same His name or with how many syllables we drag out his name, but just that we pray in faith that through His name and power we are healed.
What Does This Mean for Us?
Of course healing prayer is one of the most misunderstood aspect of our Christian faith. Unfortunately due to some television evangelist/faith healers; many see this kind of healing as a sham. At one time many of these characters might have been infused with a true healing gift but with the personal gain/fame/money they gathered in their ministry many were led astray.
But the fact remains that God still heals today in Jesus’ name and the prayer offered in faith. I think many people are afraid to pray for healing because what if the person isn’t healed, does this show a lack of faith. Again it is not our faith that heals someone, but as verse 16 it is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that he heals still today. Our faith comes through Him and our power comes in His name, the name above all names.
Trust me I have prayed for many people who have not been healed by my prayers or the prayers of other saints. But I have also seen people healed through the prayer offered in Jesus’ name through His faith. That is why I continue to pray for healing in Jesus’ name and I hope you will too. Remembering that ultimately healing will come when Jesus returns and takes us home!
Prayer: Jesus we thank you for your healing power that comes through our faith in You and the power of Your resurrection. Give us courage and faith to trust in You as we pray for those who need your help both physically, emotionally and spiritually. Amen.
Text: Peter Speaks to the Onlookers
11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
What Does This Mean?
This text follows the story of Peter and John’s encounter with the beggar at the temple who had been lame from birth. As they encountered him Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”
Of course this brought on a lot of attention to Peter and John. Many came running and wanting to find out who were these guys? Peter does an important here. He clarifies that it is not by his power or godliness that this man was made to walk. Then they tie in Jesus’ resurrection and how Jesus was killed and their being witnesses of this. Importantly through the power of the resurrection they can proclaim, “It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed, as you all can see.”
This reminds us that all healing that takes place on earth is a witness of Jesus and the power of His name, which was proved through His resurrection. It does not depend on how we same His name or with how many syllables we drag out his name, but just that we pray in faith that through His name and power we are healed.
What Does This Mean for Us?
Of course healing prayer is one of the most misunderstood aspect of our Christian faith. Unfortunately due to some television evangelist/faith healers; many see this kind of healing as a sham. At one time many of these characters might have been infused with a true healing gift but with the personal gain/fame/money they gathered in their ministry many were led astray.
But the fact remains that God still heals today in Jesus’ name and the prayer offered in faith. I think many people are afraid to pray for healing because what if the person isn’t healed, does this show a lack of faith. Again it is not our faith that heals someone, but as verse 16 it is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that he heals still today. Our faith comes through Him and our power comes in His name, the name above all names.
Trust me I have prayed for many people who have not been healed by my prayers or the prayers of other saints. But I have also seen people healed through the prayer offered in Jesus’ name through His faith. That is why I continue to pray for healing in Jesus’ name and I hope you will too. Remembering that ultimately healing will come when Jesus returns and takes us home!
Prayer: Jesus we thank you for your healing power that comes through our faith in You and the power of Your resurrection. Give us courage and faith to trust in You as we pray for those who need your help both physically, emotionally and spiritually. Amen.
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