Day 3

Read: Acts 3

Introduction: If the Good News of Jesus Christ was boiled down to one phrase that everyone, in all cultures, at any time, could understand, I believe it would be this: Jesus heals the broken. Everyone understands what it means to be hurt and broken, and it comes in many different ways. Some of the ways that the brokenness of man is evident is in fractured families, or the guilt of individual sin. It also can be seen in physical brokenness such as death and disease. And all of these things come from the brokenness (the sin) of humans. There is much that goes into the little phrase “Jesus heals the broken,” for example, it’s by Jesus’ wounds that we are healed. Jesus has come to heal the brokenhearted, to forgive sin. But it is all boiling down to the same phrase, “Jesus heals the broken.”  Peter and John understand what the gospel of Jesus is all about and we find that in Acts 3.

Acts 3:1-7

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk!” …And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

Think about it: This may be one of the greatest moments in the book of Acts! Peter and John, who once used to fight over who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of God, finally get what Jesus was all about and what their mission is. They know it’s not about power, position, status, money, but walking in the Spirit of the Lord to spread the news of Jesus. In the name of Jesus there is power and healing! Marriages are restored through the power of Jesus. The sick are healed through the power of Jesus. And the greatest one, our sins are forgiven through the power of Jesus. This story is not just a story about a lame man who now walked, but it is about a man who encountered the power of God’s grace through Jesus. Jesus is in the business of healing broken people.

Take away: The message of the church is that Jesus heals the broken.