I have been trying to read Acts. I'm pretty sure this is because of book I'm reading by Rob Bell. I say "pretty sure" because as you can see, there are a few books open on my bed and most of them are not completely read.
Anyway, Peter and John were on the way to the temple and they met up with this crippled guy at the gate. The crippled guy asked Peter and John for some change. Peter replies,
"I don't have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!" He grabbed him by the right hand and pulled him up. In an instant his feet and ankles became firm. He jumped to his feet and walked. (Acts 3:6-8, MSG)
Now, honestly, I have to tell you, when I have read this and other healing stories in the past, I really struggle with them. Why? I mean how often are you walking down the street and this guy looks over at some ill guy and says, "You are all better. Get outta here!" Uh, hello?
However, as I rested in my bed wrapped up in my blanket, some different words stood out from the page. On the page, it was almost like the healing story took backstage to just one sentence in the story.
"He grabbed him by the right hand and pulled him up."
Wow, all of the sudden this healing story went from this almost irrelevant thing of the past to something very real and tangible. I particularly thought about those who have taken me by the hand and pulled me up. Several come to mind along with the healing that pervaded those moments.
This left me feeling incredibly challenged.
Later,
Todd
2 comments:
We are apathetic. We doubt. We assume. We dread. We remember those televangelists who commercialize "healing" and we quickly box them up in the corner. They are forceful actors, they devalue the act of present, passionate, intercessory prayer. We write it off now. We become apathetic.
Friends don't do that. Friends don't posture for the camera. They don't act in the limelight. They do often take physical action though. They lift us up, they turn our eyes toward the light, they soothe our troubled hearts with hugs and baked cookies. They scrub our wounds clean. They stand strong about us, protecting us, while we regather our balance and get back on our feet. They act the fool, because they care more about us than themselves.
What assurance do you suppose Peter had, when he grabbed the man by his hand? No more than we have. Wow! Come Lord, enter our hearts and gush forth in such a way as this!
p.s.- is that a leopard print blanket on your bed?? Oh Todd!
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