Day: 3 March 2023

Dr Andrew C S Koh

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we commit this time to You. We pray for understanding and application of Your truth into our lives. We pray for guidance, direction, discerning Your will, spiritual nourishment, and personal transformation. We pray for the Bread of Life and Living Water, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Setting

 

Following the footstep of Jesus Christ, Peter performed his first miracle by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Peter and John encountered a congenitally paralysed beggar at the beautiful gate of the temple complex. The gate was called Beautiful, but the beggar was anything but beautiful. He had no muscle development, no motor power in his legs, and had never walked. since birth. The man was begging for money but not for health. The beggar looked at John and Peter expecting them to give him cash. Peter declared, ‘’in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk’’. Peter took him by the right hand and lifted him up. The man arose, walked, leaped, and praised God for healing him. On seeing this, the people marvelled with amazement, astonishment, and excitement. 

Acts 3:11-16

¹¹ As the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. ¹² When Peter saw it, he responded to the people, “You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this man? Why do you fasten your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk? ¹³ The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up, and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had determined to release him. ¹⁴ But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, ¹⁵ and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, to which we are witnesses. ¹⁶ By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which is through him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Acts 3:11-16

Commentary

Peter, John, the paralytic, and the Jews ran to Solomon’s porch. Peter addressed the people with a full sermon. He said, why looked at them as though they were the ones who had healed the paralysed man. He acknowledged that it was the God of Abraham, the God of Jacob, and Jesus of Nazareth, who had healed the man. He reminded them that even though Pontius Pilate was determined to free Jesus of Nazareth, they forced him to free Barabbas, who was a murderer. They had murdered Jesus of Nazareth but God raised him back to life and the apostles were witnesses of this event. It was faith in the name of Jesus Christ that healed the paralysed man. Peter gave Jesus Christ three titles. He was the Holy One, the Righteous One, and the Prince of Life. 

Application

Jesus Christ is a miracle working God. The paralysed man arose, walked, leaped, and praised God for healing him. Have you praised and thank God for healing you? 

Peter and John gave all the glory to God. Did you give all glory to God for your own salvation?

Faith is the most important ingredient for a miracle. It was faith in the name of Jesus Christ that healed the paralysed man. Without faith, it is impossible for God to act.

All the people were amazed when they saw this miracle. Are you amazed when you read about this miracle?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are the God of the impossible. You are a muracle working God. We claim the promise that You are Jehovah Rapha. Heal us of all our infirmities. Thank You for Your word by Your Son Jesus Christ who fulfilled scripture and turned everyone from their sins. Thank You protection, healing, salvation, justification, sanctification and eternal life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.