June 9 | Acts 3:11-36

Pastor Dave Mann
Jun 8, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Jul 1, 2025

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

When God Heals

By Dave Mann

Today’s passage happens shortly after Pentecost, when 120 believers were filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter preaches a powerful sermon, and 3000 people come to faith and are baptized.

In the opening verses of Acts 3, Peter and John meet a man lame from birth in the temple courtyard. He begs for money from them. However, Peter famously responds, “I don’t have any silver or gold. However, what I do have, I’ll give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he is miraculously healed.

Quickly, a crowd gathers, amazed at what has happened. Peter clearly states that the man was healed not by power in and of himself, but the power of the name of Jesus has healed this man. The message is that God still heals today. I don’t know why God heals some but not others. I don’t understand why the healing sometimes comes swiftly, sometimes gradually. But the power and faith in the name of Jesus are still active today. Not through our power, but by the power of the name of Jesus and the faith that comes from Jesus.

Peter explains and interprets the healing to the crowd. His message is keenly focused on Jesus. He is the Holy One of God. He is the servant of God. Peter builds a bridge with his audience in verse 13 –“The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus.” Peter states that he and his audience come from the same lineage.

But then he burns that bridge! He speaks very pointedly – “You handed him over. You disowned him. You killed him. You asked for a murderer to be released in his place.” Nevertheless, it is fair to say that it was not only the Jewish people who were guilty of these acts, but all of us (Jew and Gentile alike) are responsible because Jesus died for the sins of all of us. If you want to blame someone for the crucifixion, just look in a mirror. All are to blame.

Peter quickly turns to words of good news (vv. 19-20) –“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.” Times of refreshing come when we realize that though we have sinned, God has made us right with him through Jesus Christ.

When God blesses us, it is time to repent.

PRAYER

Lord God, thank you for all the blessings that you have given me. Some of those blessings I have thanked you for; some, unfortunately, I have taken for granted. I pray now for a spirit of repentance to rightly acknowledge your hand in every blessing I have received. May I respond to Peter’s message concerning all your blessings sent my way in the name of Jesus, Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of six. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.