Homily for 6.30pm Wholeness& Healing Service
Sunday 14th January 2007, ( 2nd of Epiphany)

The Healing power of the risen Christ


Reading; Acts. Chap. 3 vv. 1-16
Peter and John heal a lame man
(Peter heals then preaches to the crowd )

Now, what do I need?

Before we leave the house to go shopping, it makes sense to have some idea of what we need to bring home at the end of the trip. At least for the essentials. Never mind the ‘Oh, that might come in useful, sometime’, items.
Wayfinders reminded us this morning of some things that we don’t really need.

We have come to church tonight to be at this service because we recognise our need, and/ or the needs of others on our minds, to be in the healing presence of God.

The dis-abled man in this story had a need to be at the temple gate each day. He was brought as a beggar, by friends, because of his condition. He was dependent on the generosity of others for his mobility and seemingly for money. It had become his daily routine. He had to get some monetary gifts from those passing-by.

Let’s consider the background of the story for a while.
Luke tells us that this poor lame man had been in his condition since birth and later, in the following chapter, it is stated that he was middle -aged (over 40!).
It is likely that he may have heard, or even seen, Jesus from a distance during his daily stays at the Temple gate. But because of his disability, he had failed to attract the attention of Jesus. But he had some faith.
Then came the awful day of the Crucifixion, the news of Jesus death, and maybe eventually news of the resurrection. But for this man the chance of encountering Jesus in person, in the flesh, had gone.

He probably felt very unhappy, trapped in what for him was his ‘normal’ lifestyle. He could only carry on his daily begging for money at the Temple gate.
This one afternoon though was to be literally life-changing and en-abling!
He catches the attention of Peter and John as they are going in for prayer. He perceives that his immediate need is for money, as usual. The three focus in on each other ‘Fixed their attention’ we read. The disciples notice that he has a much more basic need, of healing from his lameness.

They could not give money, they could only share what they had, a strong faith in the healing power of the risen Jesus. They acted naturally.

His faith was restored, resurrected, and he was enabled not just to walk with them into the Temple, but to praise God as he moved. He was obviously extremely delighted. And now needed to worship.

When we approach God in prayer do we perceive our need to be for material things? Perhaps not recognising a much more basic need to be restored to wholeness and a right relationship with Him. God sees our real, needs when we approach him with humility and true faith in his power.

The man had to ignore all other distractions and rivet his attention on Peter, as a disciple of Jesus. To be in a right relationship with God our attention needs to be riveted on Him.

The resulting commotion attracts a crowd and Peter uses the opportunity presented to share his faith with all who are prepared to listen. He gives a sermon in which he explains that it was by Faith in the name and power of the risen Christ that made this man whole, not by Peter and John’s own personal power and piety. Many in the crowd were those who had shouted for Jesus to be crucified.
But, a little further on we read that about five thousand became believers through this event and Peter’s preaching.

God works in mysterious ways, through the most unlikely people, to manifest his grace and power.
We pray that we may have strong faith, to be useful instruments in his hands, to encourage and enable those on our hearts this evening and during the coming days.



Amen.