GOD’S WORD FOR JANUARY 6

Our  book this month  is a continuation of “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand ~ Lessons From the Life of Peter,” by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

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THE TRACE OF HIS SHADOW

(Read Acts 3:1-10;  5:1-11;  8:14-24;   ad 10:44-48)

Very likely you remember those people who have had a special impact in your life.  Just at the right time you may have been given advice by a schoolteacher, or possibly a Christian friend supported you during a particularly difficult time of suffering.  In my case, it was praying parents that God used to keep my life on track.

By the influence of a loving touch, the encouragement of friends, or the sharing of the Gospel – in all these ways we leave our imprint in the sands of life.  Such influences are recorded and Christ assured us that even a cup of cold water given in His name would not go unnoticed.

When the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost, a small band of men and women had a profound effect on their generation, and yes, they impact us even today.  We are encouraged by how they stood for Christ at great personal cost.  God gave them the ability to speak in languages they had never learned, and healings took place to confirm their power and authority.  Peter had such a gift of doing miracles that “they even carried the sick out into the streets, and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on any one of them” (Acts 5:15).

Though not explicitly stated, it is reasonable to assume that when Peter’s shadow fell on individuals they were actually healed.  God was with Peter in a powerful, demonstrable way.

All of us cast a shadow, whether for good or for ill, as we walk through the corridors of life.  We all leave our world a little better or a little worse.  Nothing we touch remains the same.

Let’s look at three snapshots in Peter’s life in which his ”shadow,” his influence, affected the lives of others:

THE SHADOW OF A HEALING TOUCH

In Acts 3 we read that a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was set down every day at the gate of the temple to beg as worshipers walked by.  Though this man was beside the gate of the magnificent temple area, he was in a pitiful state.  Some friends had laid him there so that he could beg.  But as far as he was concerned, he was condemned to a life of continued misery.

As Peter and John walked by, the cripple looked up hoping to receive alms.  But Peter saw beyond this physical need and with the eye of faith saw that Christ, the Prince of life, was near him.  Here on the street was weakness, but in the Lord there was the power of life.  In the presence of despair, there was hope.

The handicapped beggar was a picture of the nation Israel itself.  Crippled, burdened with sin and helplessness, Israel had just rejected the Prince of life.  The nation had resisted the One who could heal its innermost soul.  If only the people would have accepted Christ’s healing touch.

Peter, looking down at the man’s helplessness, felt compassion.  He had no money, but he had something far better.  More important than silver and gold was the restoration of robust strength to this discouraged man!

Then Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you:  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth – WALK!  (Acts 3:6).  Then Peter seized him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately he stood upright and began to walk!  The power of the resurrected Christ had connected with the withering form of this man.  “And with a  leap, he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.”  (Acts 3:8)

Needless to say, this caused a sensation in the temple area, and those whose hearts were open to the Lord rejoiced.

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Jeremiah 17:14

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise.

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Psalm 30:2

O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.

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Isaiah 53:5

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

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Psalm 4:7

You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased.

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Psalm 7:10

My defense is of God, Who saves the upright in heart.

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Psalm 35:13

But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart.

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