A thirst for the Unexplainable

Acts 3:11-16

As you read these verses something becomes very clear, our Designer has placed in each of us a thirst for the unexplainable.  Why else would men who study the atom keep trying to understand it’s make up and how it holds together.  It’s the same reason that astronomers study the stars and the planets, and you and I are drawn to a person who is performing an act we call magic and we wonder how did they do that?  Many people have driven long distances to be made well from some sickness by what is referred to as a faith healer, and many will put their trust in a person who claims to be able to tell them about the future.  Yes, our Creator designed us with a thirst for the unseen, or the unexplainable.

I believe that is why this account of a man who was born lame, had never known how to walk was told by Peter, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.

(Acts 3:6-7 ESV)  If I had seen this man jumping up and walking and praising God, I also believe you would have been amazed at how these men did such a wonderful act?  But what if you were the man who had been lame from birth?  It is not a far stretch to believe that you and I would be clinging to Peter and John, and I must ask this question when you ask Jesus into your life, were you not crippled by the control of sin?  And that brings up a very concerning question, have people been amazed at how you are now walking in this world, are your spiritual feet and ankles strong, and are you leaping and walking and praising God?

This is the account of what happened: “While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.”  (Acts 3:11-16 ESV)

Jesus did not just restore the man’s legs, he restored the man, and did you notice how quick Peter and John were to give all the credit to the Lord, and they addressed them in a manner they would understand. The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, ” and many of us would have quit speaking at this point.  It was at this point Peter and John understood that God was going to bring about conviction on those who came running to see this unexplainable act.  Lets pick up on the account, “whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead.” 

I am so glad the Holy Spirit had Peter add his testimony and John’s and many others who saw the risen Christ in physical form.  This is what he said: “To this we are witnesses. And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.”  My prayer for you is that you also will trust Jesus to give the gift of life to those who you encounter, and that you will, in love, show the boldness of the Spirit that lives in you.  I also pray that you will ask the Father to do the same in my life.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice