None But Jesus!

Its been all too long since my last post. In December I was out of pocket. Several trips to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where Barbara is now second on the liver transplant list for this region. She is still cancer free, but there are "suspicious cells" in her bio ducts. Keep praying!

For now, let's take a look at a little miracle that occurs in Acts chapters three and four: One day the Apostles Peter and John were "going up to the temple" to pray (Acts 3:1). A lame beggar was there asking for alms (vs. 2-3). Peter said to him, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!" (v. 6). "And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God" (vs. 7-8).

This man was overwhelmed! He could never have imagined what awaited him as he rose from bed that morning. As Peter began to speak, he was likely disappointed because Peter said he had no money to give him. Then suddenly, in the name of Jesus, he was healed! He stood up! He walked! He leaped! He went into the temple praising God and worshiping Him. What a day! What a glorious day.

This miracle opened the door for Peter to preach to the people. When he did he found himself arrested along with John for "proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead" (Acts 4:1-3). "The next day," the "rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem" (v. 5) and they brought in Peter and John to question them. "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?" (v. 7). They knew the answer. Peter’s reply? "By the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health" (v. 10).

Then Peter made another proclamation: "There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved" (v. 12). There is none but Jesus. There is no one else. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). What the lame beggar had discovered is that healing is in Jesus, life is in Jesus, eternal life is in Jesus. There is no one else who can save you from your sin.

The rulers, when confronted with the truth concerning Jesus, "were amazed." They recognized them "as having been with Jesus" (v. 13). The disciples had been with Jesus! The lame beggar had met Jesus as his Lord and Savior! It was obvious! When you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you spend time with Him in His Word, and it is obvious. People can tell.

Have you met Jesus? Have you trusted Him by faith for your forgiveness? Is He your Lord and Savior? Have you spent time with Him? If you have, it will show. People will know. Because when they see you, they will see Jesus. Amen.