The time of prayer was about three o'clock in the afternoon, and Peter and John were going into the temple. A man who had been born lame was being carried to the temple door. Each day he was placed beside this door, known as the Beautiful Gate. He sat there and begged from the people who were going in.
The man saw Peter and John entering the temple, and he asked them for money. But they looked straight at him and said, "Look up at us!"
The man stared at them and thought he was going to get something. But Peter said, "I don't have any silver or gold! But I will give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, get up and start walking." Peter then took him by the right hand and helped him up.
At once the man's feet and ankles became strong, and he jumped up and started walking. He went with Peter and John into the temple, walking and jumping and praising God. Everyone saw him walking around and praising God. They knew that he was the beggar who had been lying beside the Beautiful Gate, and they were completely surprised. They could not imagine what had happened to the man.
I remember a person telling me once “I don’t witness…I’d set the kingdom back 20 years!” We all recognize that for what it is. He doesn’t want to do it. Not so with Peter and John. Once they were filled with the Holy Spirit their lives seemed to be on autopilot. They did and said things they would never have imagined. I’m not even sure I’d call it obedience. Obedience implies alternative choices.
I don’t think what we see in Peter and John is “choice”. I think its reflex… an involuntary and nearly instantaneous movement in response to a stimulus (the Holy Spirit). It’s a sure sign of how fully we are surrendering to the Spirit.
I’ve wanted to say it many times…“In the name of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, get up and start walking." But it’s so risky. Most of the time I convince myself I’d only be embarrassing myself and putting God on the spot. And, of course, nobody gets up and walks.
Can you imagine the conversation?
“I don’t know, Peter…do you think God wants us to say that?”
“ John…dude! I can do this…I walked on water!”
“Not exactly Peter…you were soaked when you got back in the boat.”
“But…I think Jesus would have…”
And then the opportunity is gone…
I think one of the things that make life in the Spirit so powerful is its reflexive nature. The Divine impulse isn’t watered down or compromised by human reason. Flash! Bang! It’s done. And wow! Can you believe what just happened?
When was the last time our mouths were agape at what we just saw the Holy Spirit do through us? That should tell we the last time we were filled with the Spirit.
Do we want people to walk? Fine. We can be careful about it, analyze how best to approach the situation…or we could open our mouths. I know, it scares me too.
Live boldly out there today…
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