(click for audio)
The
story of the healing of the cripple at the temple gates is one of the
most memorable in the book of Acts. We love to imagine the joy of being
able to walk after 40 years and the life transformation that it would
bring in that society. We love to witness the overflowing joy of a
former cripple who is "walking and leaping and praising God" as a
favourite song describes.
However that's just the beginning of the
miracle. The point of the healing was not a better quality of life for
one individual for the remainder of his earthly existence - it was part
of God's plan to bring Jesus into focus so that many people would have
the opportunity to experience eternal life. The rest of Acts 3 and 4
describe the incredible way that the healing event provided an
opportunity for Peter & John to boldly testify about the risen Jesus
and to see many people place their faith in Him.
Are we so excited
about the miracle of new life that God has worked in us that our
overflowing praise brings Jesus into the view of all around us so they
may also be saved? We're reminded in Romans 12 that offering all our
lives to God as living sacrifices is our reasonable response of worship
to the One who gave it all for our salvation. What will that look like
for you? Will you be one like the cripple whose transformed life
captures peoples' attention? Will you be like the Apostles who testified
about Jesus despite the threats and hostility of those who opposed
them? Will you be like the believers who prayed for the Holy Spirit to
empower their witness? All are needed in order to see salvation brought
to the lost.
