Over the last two posts, we talked about a couple different purposes of the Pentecostal outpouring: the sharing of the gospel and the unity of the diverse body of believers. Today, we reflect on a third purpose: the release of power for signs, wonders, and miracles.
Acts 3:1-8
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame 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. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 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.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
I love these verses! Look at the delicate phrasing penned by Luke and inspired by the Holy Spirit. It says the man went into the temple courts, walking, jumping, and praising God. This clearly demonstrates the holistic healing the power of Jesus brings: walking signifies the healing of his body because his bones and muscles were able to support him; jumping represents the healing of his emotions, since it shows how happy he was to be better; praising God demonstrates the healing of his spirit, as the miracle was a sign post pointing to a good God who desired relationship with this poor man.
It serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it meets the needs of hurting individuals that God loves. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it displays the true father nature of God to the world around us. We can also see this all-important so that in the Psalms.
Psalms 67:1-2
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us—
so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.
Healing was always in God’s plan through Jesus, but he purposefully left the work unfinished.
John 14:12
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
It’s God‘s will for us to partner with him in bringing healing to the hurting. Many of us have asked Lord to heal us of various sicknesses and injuries, but have we asked the Lord if he might want to make us instruments of healing for others?
Jesus, we wait for your healing power. We desire to be a part of your plan of miraculous healing. We expect you to give us grace as we pray for a greater expression of healing miracles. Use us as your hands and feet this week.