0328. The Helping Hand

The Helping Hand

"And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up" (Act_3:7).

It would be folly to imagine that it was Peter’s touch that healed the lame man. God wrought the miracle that put strength into the lame man’s feet and ankle bones. What then was the province of the out-reached hand of Peter?

1. Peter’s hand clasp was an encouragement to faith. There may be ever so much power in the wire, but the street-car remains fastened to the track until the trolley reaches up its long hand and makes contact with the wire. Jesus Christ had power to heal the lame man, but His power would have proved of no avail, had the lame man not reached up his arm of faith and received the healing touch.

Peter knew this. He knew how God wrought and he took hold of the lame man’s hand as an encouragement to his faith. Peter’s touch did not spell "I can do it;" it spelled, "Christ can do it." Peter’s touch seemed to say, "Fear not, only believe."

2. Peter himself knew the value of the out-reached hand. He once had seen the winds and the waves boisterous; he once was about to sink; it was then he had felt the touch of the Saviour’s hand. Peter would do unto others, as he had been done by. With one hand he reached down to impart courage and to instill hope within the breast of the lame man; with the other hand he threw out the index finger and pointed the lame man away to Christ, saying withal, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."

3. This is our work–reaching out the hand.

Illustration: A man met me in Chicago the other day. He said: "Brother Neighbour, I want you to meet the man who led me to Christ." He had wanted to be saved, he had wanted to accept the invitation that was being pressed from the pulpit, but he was timid and fearful. Then the man of whom he spoke to me, had reached forth his hand, and touched him on the shoulder saying, "Go up, my friend, Christ can save you." And, he went and Christ did save him.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR