What's In A Name? - Acts 3:1-10

What's in a name? In Jesus' day when you used someone's name you were citing the authority of that person.  Much like today when we might call someone Dr. _______, Officer_______, Professor __________, Pastor ________, Rabbi _______.  How how does this relate to Peter's healing of the lame beggar?


3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter and John did not have any money, but they had much more.  They had the love and power of Jesus working through them.  The lame beggar was hoping for some money to get through the day. Being near the temple, where alms giving was commanded in the Old Testament, would have given him a better than average chance of getting some financial help.  

Luke had just talked about the signs and wonders that were happening through the apostles and this story supports it.  Peter had just preached a sermon and now he was going to show one.  

1. Peter and John looked straight at the man.  Most people today avoid looking at the homeless guy asking for money in front of Ralph's. I'm sure the Jews in Jesus' day were tempted to do the same thing.  Peter wanted the man to know that he and John were not there to placate him with a few coins, but they were going to reveal the power and love of Jesus. It started by looking at him in the eye with the compassion of Jesus.

2. Peter commanded the man, "In the name of Jesus get up and walk."  Peter had been taught by Jesus that whatever he asked in Jesus' name, which was according to God's will, would be done.  Specifically Peter calls on, "Jesus Christ of Nazareth".  Jesus was the man from Nazareth, but he was also the Christ, the Messiah.  By performing this miracle in Jesus' name, Peter was bearing witness that Jesus really was the Christ, the son of the living God.  

The purpose of all signs and wonders is to point people to Christ.  The man was healed of his physical disease, but one day he would die.  But after the miracle he went into the temple jumping and praising God for the salvation he had received.  

3. Peter took him by the hand and helped him up.  Peter took quite a risk.  After all, what if the man just fell back down.  Peter had seen Jesus do miracles and signs like this, but he had only witnessed them not performed them.  Today, he prayed and acted in Jesus' power and authority. Quite a turnaround for the disciple who had walked sadly out of the garden of Gethsemene, after having denied Jesus three times.

So here is my question?  As we seek to help people do we exhibit the same boldness of Peter? Do we pray for people in Jesus' name? We don't heal anyone, Jesus does. Praying for someone in Jesus' name actually takes the pressure off you to "do a miracle".  As we see people in need there is nothing wrong with helping meet their daily needs, but let's not forget offer them what we have in Jesus' name. What's in a name?  In Jesus' name is not only healing in this life, but the way to eternal life. 


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