Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Jesus the Healer

Acts 3: 1 – 10
“Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”(6)
There is a quote that says, “Prayer is the most powerful action against trials, the most effective medicine against sickness, and the most valuable gift to someone we care for.”
Seeking temporal satisfaction
In Acts 3, we see the story of the crippled beggar. The crippled beggar is a man of strategy, who knows what he wants and how to best get that which he wants. The crippled beggar knew when the most people would come for prayer. He knew the temple gate Beautiful would be through where most people would enter. Finally, he also knew that in Judaism, giving money to beggars was praiseworthy. Yet, the downside of his strategy meant that he had to be present there in front of the gate every day. Unfortunately, the money he received from the people would only satisfy him for that particular day.
Receiving eternal provision
Then, Peter and John meet him. Now, Peter could have given him the money that the crippled beggar was seeking. Both of them could have ignored him completely, but they chose not to. Peter tells him to look at them. The man’s eyes widened immediately hoping for financial support. Yet, Peter begins by saying that he does not have gold or silver. For someone who thinks his needs are met by monetary gain, his mindset is being challenged by the lives of Peter and John. Instead of giving him what he wanted, Peter knew to give him what he needed. In that instance, the crippled beggar was healed. Now, many people could misunderstand what happened in this passage. Peter nor John healed this man, but the truth is, Jesus healed the man. In the name of Jesus, this man’s legs were restored to him. Instead of having to seek financial help from others every day, this man was given use of his legs for the first time since he was born. The crippled beggar wanted money, because he never knew what he truly needed. Through the healing, this man began to praise God. When he received what he needed, he could not do anything else, but praise God.
Jesus can heal even to this day. When we seek what we want, He provides us with what we need. The question that remains is, what will be your response? Will you accept what you need? Will you allow Him to heal you? When you experience healing, will you be able to jump and praise God like the crippled beggar?
Prayer: Jesus, we know that you are the Great Physician. In you, we have healing. You provide us with what we need. Help us to realize that you only have the best interests for us and to always live gratefully to you. Amen.
Thought for the Day: Experience healing by the true Healer Jesus Christ.

Mat Stan Samuel, St Paul’s MTC, Dallas.

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