0329. The Lame Man Healed
The Lame Man Healed
"Immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the Temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God" (Act_3:7-8).
The scene presents no fanciful healing. The case was real. The results of this healing are well worth our consideration.
1. "And he leaping up." The words suggest the first exultant joy that thrilled the man, as he felt the power of the risen Christ in his body. We all know that there is "joy in the presence of the angels of God" when a sinner is saved or when a wanderer returns to the Father’s house. Do we not also know that a real salvation brings a real experience of joy down here? The Prophet Isaiah beautifully describes the transition from sorrow to joy, in his 55th chapter. The chapter begins with a call to the hungry and to the thirsty and to those who have no money. The middle verse of the chapter is a little wicket gate: "Let the wicked forsake his way * * his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy * * He will abundantly pardon." The chapter concludes with paeans of joy sounding forth: "He shall go out with joy * * with singing * * with clapping of hands."
When the sinner is saved there is joy.
2. "And he leaping up, STOOD." God gives a sure footing to those who are in grace. We have something on which to stand–even the sure promises of God. We stand no more in the way of sinners, but we stand in the will of God.
3. "And entered into the Temple." This is the natural thing. The believer should go into the house of God. He should enter into the fellowship of those we know the Lord. This is only an analogy which some may count a play upon words–nevertheless the redeemed of the Lord should seek the house of the Lord. They are added to the Lord, and they should be added unto those who serve the Lord. Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is.
4. "Walking." This word suggests the daily routine, the trivial task. God is greatly interested in the believer’s walk. We are to "walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their minds;" but, we are to walk in love; we are to walk as children of the light; we are to "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called;" we are to walk "with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering.
5. "Leaping." This word is repeated. The joy note should be the aftermath of our salvation, as well as the beginning. We should "rejoice always." The joy of the Lord will prove our strength. Why should not the lame man sing? Something had happened. He had something to sing about. Shall not the believer be exuberant? Shall he not leap for joy? Has not God given him hind’s feet, and caused him to walk on the high places of the mounts?
6. "Praising God." The lame man knew the One Who had healed him. He might thank God for Peter’s words, and for Peter’s hand-clasp–but he praised God for his healing. It seems that this spirit of praise would dominate the speech of all those who are saved, and of all those who are healed, yet "Were there not ten (lepers) cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God. save this stranger."
Oh that men would praise the Lord for all His marvelous works!
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR