“While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you." Acts 3:11-14
A week ago, I was the Reader at my church and these verses were a portion of the first reading; they have been in my thoughts since. Just imagine, God has used Peter and John to heal a man who could not walk. Now the three of them are in the temple courts and the now healthy man is still clinging to them! The story tells us he was already walking and leaping, so he is fully healed. He doesn’t want to let go! If you have ever been in a hospital for a week and finally get released, that first night at home in your own bed and shower is quite a joyous time! This man has no physical need to be hanging on to Peter and John. But he has an emotional need. He is hanging on to these men out of joy and thankfulness, because they are the ones God used to heal him. He can't bear to let go of them.
And you and I and these Haitian children hang on to Jesus the same way; don't we? If we don’t feel that way, we should. Because each of us, were once completely helpless, worn down and desperately in need of a Savior. And there are others who are still in need of our Savior. Life without Jesus is filled with darkness, being lost, being a slave to sin, oppressed by gangs and vodou priests and spiritually dead.
Jesus came into this world for you, me, these Haitian kids and for all the people God made on the face of this planet; to give Himself as our Savior. His suffering and death have broken the power of evil over us, and His resurrection means that we too, will live with God forever. We are forgiven. We are healed; all because of Jesus! HE is Risen!
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay