Scripture – Acts 3:11-16 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 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? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant[b] Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 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[c] has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
Observation – What stuck out to me was the phrase “Why do you wonder at this”
Application – The most amazing thing to me in this passage is the reaction, or lack of reaction, of Peter and John. Having just been stopped by a crippled person literally on the way into worship, having healed this person, they simply continue into the temple for prayer. Then with this man leaping and praising God in the background, a crowd starts to gather and Peter and John seem to be surprised that this event has caught the attention of the other worshippers. Peter actually asks them ‘why do you wonder at this” as if to say “what’s the big deal”. This was their new normal. I wonder whether I will ever be so levelled up in the Spirit, that I am surprised that others are surprised by the miraculous?!
Peter goes on to assure them that there is nothing special about John and himself, they are not more powerful or pious than anyone else at who came to pray that day, the difference was simply faith in the name of Jesus and the faith that is through Jesus. It’s almost as if Peter was explaining something as simple as turning on a light switch to group a people who had not even invented candles yet.
Could it all really be that simple, no need to create some powerful emotional experience in order to for God to heal but just to have faith in the name of Jesus and the faith is through Jesus? I must admit I do not fully understand what this kind of faith is, at least I have never been witness to healing of this nature in response to this kind of faith. I admit I am not even sure what the difference is (if indeed there is any) between faith in the name of Jesus and the faith that is through Jesus (although my hunch is that the Spirit doesn’t waste time with unnecessary repetition in scripture and so there is probably a reason why these two different descriptions of faith are given).
What I do know is that I want to learn/be given/grow into this kind of faith. I yearn for a time when God would get the attention of people who have turned their back on Jesus in our time through His miraculous power. Not so I can be seen as a powerful or pious but so the gospel of Jesus can be preached to those who otherwise might not listen.
Prayer – Father, the name of Jesus is powerful. I do not fully understand it but I recognise that this name is due my respect and honour. Give me faith in the name of Jesus. May the power of the resurrection become more and more real to me. Lord you have given me gifts, perhaps not healing, perhaps just not yet, but increase my faith and expectation that you will work through the gifts you have given me. May I no longer be surprised by how you work through me. May I constantly surrender to you more and expect greater outpourings of your Spirit. May the manifestation of your gift not be a referendum on my spirituality but evidence of the resurrection of Jesus. May I always point any who should marvel in His direction and not mine.
Amen
Please give me some feed back.
Heart Meditations 
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