Miracles

Acts 3:16 (ESV)

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 has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

How in this world can someone get into trouble for helping to restore a crippled man to health? The Jewish leaders didn't care about the wonderful healing of the man who had begged every day at the temple gate. His healing meant nothing to them, because it did not happen under their control. They didn't even consider that this healing displayed the glory of God. They couldn't see beyond the problem they had with the name under which the healing took place. To the Jewish leaders, Jesus was not the Messiah because he did not free the people politically from Roman tyranny.

Theological squabbles often lead to spiritual blindness and dryness. Why did such a powerful healing not touch the Jewish leaders? Because they had closed themselves to the message and mission of Christ.

Why don't we hear of more miracles like these today? Most of us do not doubt that God could perform miracles if he chose to. But have we perhaps allowed secularism and theological pride to affect our teaching and belief about miracles?

Today's story teaches that Jesus' name had the power to heal. Today the name of Jesus still has the power to save the soul and heal the body. Our belief or unbelief doesn't change the healing power of his name. But have we changed? Do we believe in that power?

Dear Lord, forgive us if we have not acknowledged the power of Your name in our lives and in the world today. Heal us of spiritual blindness, we pray. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.