July 29, 2018
Hymn 130 - To God be the glory, great things He hath done
Prayer
We’ve been looking at the story of the lame man who lay at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, but who Peter and John healed. Today we’ll see the effect that it had on the people in the temple.
Acts 3:12- 26.
Peter asked these people, “Why do you marvel at this? Why are you looking at us? We didn’t heal this man through our own power.” He said that the God of their Fathers had glorified Jesus, and it was through His name that this miracle was done; even though He had done it through Peter.
Some of these people listening may have actually cried out for Jesus to be crucified. They had denied Him as their King. Pilate wanted to free Him, but the people wanted Him killed, and chose a murderer (Barabbas) to go free instead. Jesus had been holy and just - He never did anything wrong.
God had raised Jesus from the dead, and many people had seen Him after His resurrection. Faith in the name of Jesus was the key to this miracle. There is power in Jesus’ name! It’s precious to us. Peter acknowledged that these people had killed Jesus in ignorance; but they were still fulfilling God’s plan, which Jesus and the prophets had foretold.
Besides explaining the healing of the lame man, and the power of Jesus’ name, Peter encouraged his listeners to repent of their sins, and get right with God. He quoted Moses, showing that Jesus really was the prophesied One. He is able to forgive sins, and we will be destroyed if we don’t heed His message. This lame man being healed was just an example of Jesus’ power to save us from our sins and deliver us from death. God sent Jesus to bless these people, not condemn them. That is still His purpose today, to bless people and turn them from their iniquities. God’s grace is wonderful!