Peter and John were on their way to the temple to pray. And as they went, they passed a man who was crippled. People placed him at the temple daily so he could beg for a handout. As Peter and John approached the man, the Holy Spirit dealt with them in a special way. They received the inspiration to take their faith to a higher level.
Peter and John and the Holy Spirit walked up to the man. Peter was the spokesman: “I have no money. But what I have, I’m going to give to you. In the name of Jesus, rise and walk.”
Two things to notice here. First, before Peter told the man what to do, he shared with him by what authority he was telling him to do it. Peter knew this man didn’t think he could walk. He had been down for a long time. But our job, as Christ’s disciples, is to tell people that, no matter how long they have been down, in the name of Jesus, they can have a new life. Peter didn’t just say walk, but he said, “In the name of Jesus, walk.”
Then, Peter didn’t just tell the man to get up, but he offered to help him. Peter took him by the hand. And we need to realize that, when people have been down a long time, when they’ve suffered a long time, we need to not only tell them what Jesus says, but we also need to help them: “Not only does Jesus care, but I care. Not only does Jesus love you, I love you.”
After Peter spoke, after he took him by the hand and helped him up, things began to happen. A change began to take place. Strength began to get in his limbs. It started in his feet. Then it moved up to his ankles. Then he got up. Then he began to walk. Then he began to leap and praise God.
Don’t forget the last part. The man didn’t just get healed, but he remembered to give God the glory. He recognized his blessing. He knew from where his blessing had come. And he knew what to do with his blessing—Praise the One who blesses.
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