Exercising Authority

“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!”
Acts 3:6 NASB

Everyone seemed to know the man. Lame throughout his life, he was carried every day to a prominent spot near the temple. There, he begged, hoping to receive alms.

He repeated the pattern one day when Peter and John approached the temple. Listening to his pleas, Peter reacted in a way no one had done before. He did not have the kind of money the man hoped to receive. But, unlike so many others, Peter didn’t pass by or ignore the man. He declared he had something else: authority in the name of Jesus. Exercising this authority he declared, “walk!”

Peter seized the man, who rose up and “immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap, he stood upright and began to walk!”

The man had been hoping for temporary relief. Instead, they offered him something permanent, a changed life.

Filled with unspeakable joy, “he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.”

The miracle was overwhelming and so visible that “all the people saw him walking and praising God.” They knew that he was the man who had been totally lame, and sat near the temple, begging for alms. Seeing what had happened, “they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”

The miracle took place because Peter and John understood the authority that they had been given in Jesus’ name.

But knowing this authority wasn’t enough! They were bold enough to exercise this authority. To step out in faith!
How many others who possessed the same authority had passed by this man, yet did nothing? How many were afraid or weren’t sure what to do?

Today, like Peter, we have authority in Jesus’ name. Are we willing to use that authority? Whom might we be “passing by”?

Prayer: Father, thank You for the authority You have given me. I speak to these situations and people: ______. Thank You for healing. For miracles. For answers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.