In The Name of Jesus

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

IN THE NAME OF JESUS

Acts 3:1-10

3:1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer — at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

NIV

We are at one of the great examples of the power in the name of Jesus. This crippled man received something more precious than gold or silver. We are told that Peter and John did not have any gold or silver to give this man, but they had the authority in the name of Jesus to heal this man. Peter invoked the name of Jesus and commanded the man to walk. Peter did help up; however, the man's feet and ankles became strong. He was healed, and he went walking, leaping, and praising God. Interestingly, the people who had walked by this man every day on their way to the temple were amazed to see him walking, leaping, and praising God. These people, filled with wonder and amazement, were religious men as they went to the temple during prayer time. Did they not know the power of God? We will see Peter speak to them, accusing them of disowning Jesus and handing him over to Pilate. Yet they should have known better, as they had all the words of the prophets and the history of their forefathers, led by the power of God, into the place they now called theirs. They practiced their religion, followed the laws given to Moses, and celebrated the festivals: Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Shavuot (the Feast of Weeks), and the Feast of Booths (tabernacles), among others. Yet, they could not accept Jesus as their Messiah. It is good that we are not like those men; however, we are filled with wonder and amazement because we know the power of the name of Jesus. Yet do we avail ourselves of the name of Jesus, or do we just practice our religious traditions? We have accepted the free gift of salvation because of Jesus. We have accepted the forgiveness of our sins because of Jesus. We have accepted the Holy Spirit because Jesus sent him to us. But have we accepted the power in the name of Jesus? We do go through all the motions of religion, but are we truly walking, leaping, and praising God? Are we ready for the power that is in the name of Jesus? Do we really want this power, or do we just believe in the power? Silver and gold can buy the things of this world, but the name of Jesus can heal the sick, raise up the lame, restore sight, give hearing to the deaf, and speech to the mute. Peter and John had faith in Jesus, in the power of his name. Would we forfeit that measure of faith God gave us and resign ourselves to a crippled life? We wonder. Just a thought to ponder. Maybe we could start by first walking, leaping, and praising God, in the name of Jesus