Acts 3:1 One afternoon Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those entering the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter the temple, he asked them for money.
4 Peter looked directly at him, as did John. “Look at us!” said Peter. 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!c ” 7 Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong. 8 He sprang to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God.
9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the man who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
When Jesus sent out the disciples, they evidently did miracles; however, that was when Jesus was still on earth. It’s possible that the disciples kind of figured that Jesus’ power was working long – range. But now Jesus has ascended into heaven, and it’s just the disciples and the Holy Spirit. Will the same power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead really work through the disciples if Jesus is no longer here on earth? The answer is YES! ABSOLUTELY YES!!!
Once more, Peter takes the lead, even though John is also there and is a man of great faith. But it is Peter – blessed, stumbling, fumbling, but persevering and daring – Peter is the one who speaks up, speaks out, and pronounces the words of faith that lead to the healing. Could John have said those same words? Certainly. Would the man have been just as thoroughly healed? Absolutely. But perhaps John already sensed what was going to happen. Perhaps John might even have been the one who first stopped to look at the beggar.
Why was Peter the one who got used? Perhaps the Holy Spirit used Peter in this fashion because Peter still needed confirmation that he was actually doing the will of God. Failing Jesus as Peter did must have left an indelible impression on his life. And God, ever gracious and loving and kind, was restoring Peter by using him. May God grant us the grace to be used in this fashion!
PRAYER: Father God, help us that we will be willing to be used and that we will not hold back out of fear of failure. Thank you that you are no respecter of persons and that you will use anyone who will yield himself or herself to you. In the matchless Name of Jesus. Amen.
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