Thursday 21 August 2008
- Bible Book:
- Acts
"All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognised him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him." (v.9-10)
Background
Luke, the author of Acts, tells a selective history of the earlyChurch by relating stories both of its public life andcontroversies, and of the interior issues it faced.
This first story of the Apostles continuing the healing ministry ofJesus begins by showing us that these key leaders of the Churchcontinued to share in Jewish worship and sacrifice. (3 pm was thetime that the daily evening sacrifice was offered [see
According to Jewish law a lame man could not share fully in worship(Leviticus21:18; 2Samuel 5:8) but almsgiving was an aspect of Jewish devotion,and he was placed by friends or family in the right place at theright time to benefit. However, instead of money, Peter offers theability to earn a living as a walking person. When Peter says "Inthe name of Jesus Christ" (verse 6) he means "by his power andauthority".
Helped to his feet, the man begins leaping around. The Greek wordLuke uses - exallomeno - is a rare one and is used similarly in theGreek translation of Isaiah 35:6 - "then the lame shall leap like adeer" - referring to the great age of fulfilment (which Christiansnow understand to relate to the return of Jesus in glory).
To Ponder
Some today express the view that those who beg doso because they find that easier than earning a living. Would theman in the story agree? What do you think?
In verse 10 the onlookers are emotionallyaffected by the miracle and it gives Peter a springboard forpreaching in the passage that follows. To what extent doesChristian faith depend on an emotional response to signs of Jesusat work?
In what ways should Christians seek 'healing' forpeople with disabilities?