-
Healing beyond Gold and Silver
Acts 3:1-10
Philip John

Carmel MTC, Boston,MA
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,[a] stand up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.

While a lot has been said from Peter's Perspective about "healing in the name of Christ" and spreading the word of God in word and deed, let’s take a look at this passage from the beggar's perspective.
 
In this passage we see a typical scenario where a physically challenged man probably unable to find a sustainable employment resorts to begging and seeking alms from people coming to the temple of God. Expecting some money, the beggar asks Peter and John to spare some change.

Peter may have had money in his pockets to spare and provide a temporary solution to the beggar’s problem. Instead, he looks at his overall issues and provides him with an everlasting and permanent solution to his problems - in the name of Christ! He heals the man and makes him capable of walking.

In today’s world, all that we know and learn as human beings is to be self-sufficient, self-confident and try to solve our own problems. While this is a good trait to develop, we often find ourselves clueless and more helpless than ever before. Have we taken it so far that we believe in no one - but ourselves? On the materialistic side - do we seek wealth and money as answers to all our problems?
 
One must never start relying on man made science and materialistic comfort as the ultimate deliverance. Wealth and materialistic pleasure that we seek can at best suffice for the short term and temporary needs.

PRAYER

Our heavenly father- grant us the strength to understand the true meaning of "Thy will be done - On earth as it is heaven". While we see our wants, we know that you see our needs and provides for us. Grant us the patience and strength to be able to rely on you and leave all our troubles in Your mighty hands.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
 
“Those who leave everything in God’s hands, will eventually see God's hand in everything”. Author unknown


Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more