When we come to the scriptures it is important that we open up our hearts and minds to hear from God. As it is His truth and His love story to us.
Therefore let us surrender to Him all our emotions and thoughts.
Father by your Spirit as we come to today’s text give us fresh eyes to receive a greater revelation of You. May we see through Your eyes of love. In Jesus mighty name, the name that is above all other names, amen!
Today’s text is a real life drama. It is after Jesus had been crucified, raised from the dead and ascended into heaven. The players in this high drama are the disciples of Jesus (who are filled with His presence, word and power), a lame man, the people in the temple, the priests, the religious leaders and of course God.
Acts 3:1-9 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.” 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. And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
God is working. Father, Son and Spirit, with one purpose and mission. To gather together in one ?all things in heaven and earth unto Himself. To reveal Himself, to redeem and reconcile humanity and renew and revive all creation.
God and His kingdom came on earth in Jesus. The ascended Lord is King over all things. His mission continues through His word and Spirit working in and through His disciples.
The healing of this man is the outworking of God’s character and plan. His salvation and deliverance plan is because He so loves. Everything He does comes out of the depths of His heart of unconditional, unending love. He wants us to be free, healed, transformed and see Him and each one through His eyes of love. Free from the bondage of death, sickness, selfishness and pain. Healed spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally. Transformed from the inside out ?into the glorious image and character of Jesus.
God is greater than all things, yet He chose to fulfil His desire and will in and through all those who are willing to receive and believe in Him. We simply surrender and receive. For a greater revelation of the victory in surrender please listen to our podcast The Secret of Success.
God’s work and will cannot be reduced to certain conditions and formulas. We cannot control God by speaking out what we want to happen. He is all knowing, all seeing, all powerful. Yet He does not manipulate or impose His will on anyone. He gives each one free choice.
Therefore this text is not about Peter and John speaking the right words or using some Christian magic formula, or being more spiritual or holier than anyone else. It’s not about the lame man looking at Peter and John expecting something and therefore having great faith. This is all about God, Father, Son and Spirit. His heart of love and His healing mission.
Jesus the Son, the ascended Lord and king who has all power and authority is ruling and reigning, by His Spirit on the earth, in the hearts and minds of His disciples. As this is the will of God.
They said, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.
In the culture of the time a person’s name represents that person’s authority and influence. ?It reflects who they are. In the name is all encompassing. It is every thought, feeling, action ?and relationship associated with that name.
Peter and John had been with Jesus when He walked the earth as a man. He did life with them. They saw him heal the sick, raise the dead and cast out demons.
They heard His words and felt His love. He washed their feet, laid down His life, was raised from the dead and cooked breakfast for them before He ascended into heaven.
Jesus said to them at their last meal together, remember Me. When Peter and John spoke out ?His name, they must of remembered Him. His love, His truth, His power and His commissioning ?of them. All that He gave of Himself was in them. They had the power, authority and relationship ?to use His name. For He gave them His identity, His Spirit, His love, yes–even His name.
So when they said in the name of Jesus, they were one with Him.
The power in the name of Jesus comes from who Jesus is, what He has done and will do through His Spirit within every disciple.
In the power and authority of Jesus, they simply told the paraplegic to rise up and walk.
All the book of Acts and throughout the ages, every miracle, every speech, every sign and wonder, is to point to Jesus and is the outworking of God’s heart and plan.
His heart is that none shall be lost and all may know and receive Him.
Let us look at the different responses to Jesus healing this man on that day all those centuries ago.
Acts 3:10-12 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 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?
Interestingly all the people knew he was the man who was once lame and as a result of seeing him walking, leaping and praising God, they were filled with wonder and amazement.
These words that have been translated as wonder and amazement are used sparingly throughout the New Testament and each time in response to the miraculous.
These emotions are a result of receiving a revelation beyond the normal. They are a testimony? of something so extraordinary, so totally awesome, that only God could do it!
All were filled with wonder and amazement. They were astounded.
The religious look to the two men and interpret what had happened through their pride and flesh. They believe that these two men must be so religious, say and do all the right things, to have this power that enabled the lame man to walk.
Yet Peter knowing their thoughts responds in great details who is the One who has the power and Jesus is His name.
Peter declares in his speech to the men of Israel that Jesus is, the glorified servant of God, the Holy One, the Just One, prince of life, the Christ the anointed One, who suffered, was raised from the dead by God and in whom salvation is obtained.
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Remember a name is all encompassing. It is every thought, feeling, action and relationship associated with that name. Everything of who Jesus is and what He has done, is doing and will ?do is in His name. He Jesus, the saviour of the world.
In saying yes to Jesus is saying yes to everything associated with Him. That is who Jesus is, what He has done and will do. The name Jesus’ literal translation is, God is salvation. There is no other name by which we must be saved.
There were two very different responses to Peter’s speech. Let’s continue in Acts.
Acts 4:1-4 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
As a result many who heard believed.
Yet the religious in power were greatly disturbed and they arrested both Peter and John.
The next day Peter filled with the Holy Spirit spoke to them and again he testified of who is the One who healed the man.
Acts 4:9-14 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
Again Peter reiterates, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
They saw the boldness of Peter and John. This word boldness means all outspoken with frankness, clarity, freedom, confidence, with a cheerful manner of assurance.
The disciples of Jesus were empowered by Jesus, they represented Jesus, had His name, His Spirit and truth. As a result the religious who arrested them perceived that they had been with Jesus. They knew Him and He them.
In effect they testified out of personal communion with Jesus the risen Lord. They were compelled by love, possessed His passion and testified of their experience with Him and the truth of Him. Their words came out of a continual communion with Him and identity in Him, giving total allegiance to Him. All this is a work of the Holy Spirit in them.
Boldness comes from being with Jesus. Anointed and empowered by the Spirit of God, who is the Spirit of truth.
Jesus said remember Me. Remember His words, His works, His passion, His power.
Power that raised Jesus from the dead is for every disciple. The power to be His witnesses to a lost a dying world. To a world where fear has gripped the hearts of many.
Through the transforming power that is at work within every disciple who surrenders to Him, His glory is revealed. This transforming power that was evident in Peter and John, as it was discerned they had been with Jesus. This transforming power of God is a work of His Spirit. This transformation is a work that only God can do. It is this work that is going to catch the attention ?of the world.
As we focus on Jesus, let us come to the garden of victory, kneel at the foot of the cross, and ?be raised up at the empty tomb, living each day in the freedom of Him.
God continually provides from heaven the flow of His presence, His Living Waters, empowering ?the powerless.
May the fire of His Spirit burn within.
When we say His name may we experience and remember...
His love so deep that overwhelms with emotion.
His gentleness that is so intimate and personal.
His power so awesome that transforms and testifies.
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.
