5/2/2021 - More Than A Miracle - Acts 3

“Ten thousand pounds of suffering is more preferable than one ounce of sin.”
-Charles Spurgeon

The lame man found in Acts chapter 3 was a familiar figure in his day. He has been in the same spot begging for years. God worshiping Jews know his twisted frame as a fixture of the Temple landscape. Most walk by without pause. But this day is different. Peter and John speak to him. The expectation causes his heart to race. They might actually be willing to help meet his need. Like us, he doesn’t really know what his true need is. He’s expecting silver or gold coins. These are the things that will make him happy, right? We all know better than that. How many times have you said, “If I only get this…then I will be satisfied!” or, “If this would change in my life…then I will be happy!” If only he had silver or gold, then his life would be better...

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!” Acts 3:6

Do you need to look deeper? What is your misplaced desire (silver or gold). We are all lame because sin cripples the entire human race. Jesus is the only one who brings the help we need. No doctor, no self-help book or life coach, no religious advisor could give the man what he truly needed. There was nothing he personally could do. Perhaps the biggest barrier there is for many of us is the idea that we can get to God on our own merits." Look at me run, look how good I am. I don’t need much of Jesus, I’ve got two strong legs!"

Peter explicitly says it was, "Jesus Christ of Nazareth" that healed. Nazareth was a backwater town of no significance. You don’t claim this with any pride. Instead, it is meant to show that this Jesus is God’s man to bring salvation and the restoration of all things (vs. 19-21). Times of restoration and times of refreshment; don’t we all want that? 

Perhaps best of all is the man’s response to the news that Jesus is the Christ - the messiah sent to forgive sins. He can’t stop leaping. Consider anew that your spiritual need has been met and in the end this far outweighs the physical.