2 Samuel 22:47-23:23; Acts 3:1-11; Psalms 122:6-9; Proverbs 27:4-6
NT: “Now Peter and John were going up to the temple for the time of prayer at three in the afternoon. A man who was lame from birth was being carried there. He was placed each day at the temple gate called Beautiful, so that he could beg from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the temple, he asked for money. Peter, along with John, looked straight at him and said, “Look at us.” So he turned to them, expecting to get something from them. But Peter said, “I don’t have silver or gold, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” Then, taking him by the right hand he raised him up, and at once his feet and ankles became strong. So he jumped up and started to walk, and he entered the temple with them — walking, leaping, and praising God.” (Acts 3:1-8 CSB)
Acts chapter 2 ended by saying that many wonders and signs were performed through the apostles. This is one of those wonders. The important thing to note is that this miracle was done “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.” Saying, “in the name of Jesus” isn’t a magical incantation that guarantees an effect. Saying, “in the name of Jesus” is similar to saying, “by order of the king,” or “by the power vested in me by such and such authority.” Doing something or commanding something to be done in the name of Jesus is invoking all of the power and authority that is associated with Him. This miracle was no slight-of-hand parlor trick. The man that was lying at the Gate Beautiful had been lame since birth, and everyone knew it. His legs would have been completely atrophied due to lack of use – and even if they were able to move, he wouldn’t have had the strength to use them. In a normal situation, he would have had to go through months or even years of painful physical rehabilitation to be able to walk. Jesus was no longer on the earth – but Jesus had delegated His authority to His disciples and had given them His power through the Holy Spirit. Peter and John had witnessed Jesus perform creative miracles before – so the knew He could do it. So they stood there and said, by order of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords… by the authority that He has vested in us as His faithful followers, stand up and walk. Immediately, the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, blood vessels, nerves and nerve endings in that man’s legs obeyed the words that were given in the name of God the Son, and the man was completely made whole… right there on the spot. The name of Jesus is not a frivolous thing. All authority on heaven and earth has been given to Jesus – and He is now alive and seated at the right hand of God the Father. His name carries great weight… and for us to use it, we must use it according to His will and His ways. And we must not sully His name by invoking it for our own self-serving agendas.
Jamie Hicks 