The power to heal and to be healed!

On the Day of Pentecost, power from heaven came down to God’s people. The power of God turned despairing pessimists into dynamic disciples. They received the Holy Spirit and were now equipped with power from the risen Christ.

But did they receive power simply to feel better about themselves and become more successful in their daily lives?  Did they receive power for their own sake and benefit?  No! They received the power of God to strengthen them to be witnesses of Jesus Christ in a society that is spiritually powerless and to touch humans caught up in tragedy, to share the transforming power of the risen Christ with them.

The power of Pentecost is given to heal the paralysis of the world. It’s about personally caring for people in order to transform their lives and heal their hurt.

But how do you share the Gospel with people who appear to be self-sufficient and seem to be doing well without serving Christ, or even believing in God?

The truth is, things are not always what they seem. The down-and-out and the up-and-coming have two things in common: They are both human and they both have experienced needs throughout their lives that still hurt deeply in some way or another.   Inside every one of our homes are people who hurt, because they have unmet needs. Many of us could share our own story of human tragedy, and every one of us needs a touch from God.

In our text from Scripture today, we see the power of God healing a human life. We see people who have been touched by the power of God, now touching others through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 3: 2 – 10:  Now 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 going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money....  Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.  When all the people saw him...  they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

This passage is an excellent example of the power of God given to heal though our Christian ministry. This man was healed physically, and it turned his life’s tragedy into experiencing great joy. So the message of this passage is not limited to physical healing. It deals with human healing on every level.  I pray that this story in Acts 3 will inspire us to use every opportunity to touch hurting people with God’s power to heal!

And that it will touch you that you too may receive God’s complete healing, today!