ANOINTED HANDS (2)

“And he took him by the RIGHT HAND and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength” – Acts 3:7

Hands set for Eternal Impact were epitomised by the ANOINTED HANDS of Peter, the apostle: “And he took him by the RIGHT HAND and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength” (Acts 3:7). Here, we see how God used Peter’s hand to heal the lame man at the Temple’s gate, called Beautiful. Someone described this as the Ugly Sight by the Beautiful Gate! But God changed his story! The two apostles were going to the temple at “the hour of prayer” to mingle with other Christians or devout Jews attending the temple prayers (v.1). The ninth hour of the day was about 3pm in the afternoon; not a likely time for a striking occurrence. Moreover, it’s not apparent that Peter and John had any plan or intention of doing any healing miracle. That’s how surprisingly God can intervene in the ordinary course of our daily lives, and work through our hands to save, heal, deliver, and radically change lives and destinies.

Just as Peter and John were not apparently intending to work a miracle, neither was the lame man expecting one. His hope was to get, from kind passers-by, a little money to live on. Like everyone else, disabled people have material needs. Unlike everyone else, they may not be able to work. This man was “lame from his mother’s womb” (vv.2-3). The last thing he expected that day was to be made whole! All his life, from birth, his feet and lower legs were crippled and useless. So, he never learned to walk or run or dance. He relied on other people to move him from place to place. This day all that would change. Peter took a careful look at the man. Not every beggar is genuine. The man was not looking at Peter however, perhaps because he was wanting to catch the eye of other possible benefactors, or perhaps because his eyes were dejected. Peter, perceiving an opportunity for a miracle, wanted the man to have no doubt about who his healers were (vv.4-5).

The man would have been thrilled enough with a silver coin, but Peter didn't have one. Instead, he had something priceless to give; something more than silver or gold. Peter had the “Name” – authority, power and glory – that above all names. Peter possessed Jesus’ healing power. This was not his personal possession, but a gift from Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Peter knew this, and was anxious for others to understand it clearly. Peter identified the Lord as “Jesus the Messiah of Nazareth” to make it clear which Jesus he was calling upon for the miracle (v.6).

The man, plausibly, did not comprehend Peter’s command. So, Peter took him by the hand, gave him a lift up; “and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength” (v.7b). This suggests that there was a flow of strength or power through Peter’s anointed hands into the man’s feet and ankle bones. The miracle-healing was instantaneous. Unlike natural healing, there was no recovery period. As soon as Peter took his hand to pull him to his feet, the man took over: he leaped to his feet and stood on them for the first time in his life. He started walking immediately, even though he'd never learned to walk or been able to walk before. He graduated immediately to leaping! He might not have understood how he was so suddenly whole, but he knew it could only have been God’s work, and gave God the glory and gratitude (v.8).

This was a miracle witnessed by many people. They all recognized the walking, leaping, and praising man as the former lame beggar laid daily at the temple gate. They were all filled with amazement. Later, even the foes of Christ’s followers admitted that “a notable miracle has been done... and we cannot deny it" (Acts 4:16). The facts were so obvious, that everyone responded with utter amazement (vv.9-11).

God still uses anointed hands to produce utter amazement! He anointed and used Peter’s hands; He’ll use any submitted and willing hand!