Acts 3:4-6
Peter looked straight at him, as did John. 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.”
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THE NAME of JESUS
We should never underestimate the power of Christ to work in the lives of others…
When that unnamed beggar woke up to be carried to the gate, I doubt he suspected there was anything special about that particular morning. And when he saw two men from Nazareth call on him, rising his hopes for some money to eat or live on, I’d imagine receiving the gift of walking was not even on his mind.
However, our LORD had a plan.
The Name of Jesus Is Unexpected
You have to imagine, most people in this day and age as well as back then don’t really expect for change to happen because of somebody’s name.
Oh yeah, somebody with authority can make things happen, perhaps in a boardroom can change company policy or a presidential can enact reforms. But when people think of healing in their bodies or wholeness in their relationships, the last thing many of us think is “Jesus is the answer.”
Maybe it’s because we don’t believe, or maybe it’s because we have heard his name so often, in so many different contexts that it has lost its meaning.
Whatever the reason is, if we take a step back we might realize that Jesus really is the answer…
Here’s how.
The Name of Jesus Brings Healing
As fascinating and controversial as it may be, Jesus does heal people. Not only spiritually but physically as well. Even today!
Here are three examples:
- Yesica, a young girl who experienced violent convulsions that resulted in a coma, woke up and was healed by God, defying the doctor’s predictions. Yesica is just one of the kids that has experienced life change through Compassion…
- Abbie, a girl who was suffering from recurring multiple cysts for YEARS, has been healed by God through watching a healing service on Facebook. I know it sounds crazy, but God is doing some big things through Seacoast...
- Thérèse, a two-year-old girl who was bitten by a snake and was lifeless, started breathing again after an evangelist in the neighboring village prayed over her. Today, Thérèse has a master’s degree and is a pastor in Congo. How did this miracle take place? Christianity Today has the full report on her…
Even though some people create whole ministries out of fake healing. The Name of Jesus really is powerful; bringing miracles to the bones and bodies of believers all around the world.
As Cindi McMenamin encourages us in her Crosswalk article 7 Ways God Is Your Healer:
“God isn’t just the One who healed in the stories of the Bible. Hebrews 13:8 says “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” That means Jehovah Rapha (our Lord who Heals) from Exodus 15:26 and Jesus Christ – who healed the lame, blind, deaf, and diseased in the New Testament – is the same healing God today.”
And that’s not all, we read in Psalm 41, “The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness” (Psalm 41:3).
The Name of Jesus Is Valuable
I’d wager to say that the Name of Jesus was more valuable than the biggest diamond both to Peter and John as well as to that unnamed beggar and the countless others who have heard and taken hold of that good name.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.” (Matthew 13:44-45)
And so when Peter and John called out to that beggar who was most likely expecting coins of some kind, they gave him the most priceless thing they could. A personal experience with his Creator and Lord. After all, it’s like Vaneetha pointed out in her article on the greatest gift “The best gift God can give you is not health or prosperity or happiness in this world, but more of himself.”
The Name of Jesus Is Sharable
The last thing we see here is how God intends us to share this glorious Name with others. We have a treasure that is powerful above all others. That can bring healing to relationships, relief to the bones, and life to the soul!
When we encounter others who do not know about this Jesus, it is not only our duty, but our privilege to share that Name with them.
Here’s an encouraging thought from our friends at Cru:
“Why do we exist? To bring glory to God. What is glory? Something like fame.
We make God famous when we tell others about who He is and the good things He has done. When people know Jesus, God’s glory is known and shown. (2 Corinthians 4:5-6).
Have you shared your story of what Jesus has done in your life?”
Let’s be Kingdom-minded and faith-filled this week as we remember the power of Jesus and the worth of sharing His Name!
Amen.
