The healing of a man lame from birth led the people to marvel at the work done by the Lord. Imagine what everyone in your home or neighborhood would do if they saw Christ heal someone who had long suffered from an incurable disease and had been given up on by doctors? Surely, they would celebrate the healing and glorify Him who alone does great wonders, for His mercy endures forever; (Psalm 136:4). God is awesome!

The lame man was well known in his town, so people ran in amazement to the apostles. It was as if he were part of their family. See what Jesus said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12). He who believes in the Son can do the same works!

There is nothing better than reading in the Bible about the works performed by the Savior while He was on Earth. These accounts fill our hearts with faith and light, for they prove that Christ did not remain in the tomb where He was buried, but rose again to work wonders in us in the same way. Those who suffer should go to church to learn about everything that concerns them. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8)!

The apostle Paul declared his confidence in the preaching of the Gospel, which heals the sick: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  (Romans 1:16). The Gospel, the Good News, gives those who hear it the faith that will lead them to believe and enjoy the same wonders that God's people experienced in the past (Romans 10:17). Those who believe will see the miracle happen (Mark 9:23; Hebrews 11:1).

Once, Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to resolve with the apostles the situation of the Gentiles who had been converted to Christ, because some Jews insisted that they keep the ordinances of the Law of Moses. Peter stood up and told how the Lord had used him among the Gentiles. Then they all listened to Paul, who told them about the signs and wonders of God done through them among the Gentiles (Acts 15:12). When they heard this, they all became silent.

The Gospel without wonders and signs is no different from other religions. Those who do not do the same works as Christ find it difficult to bring the sick and other afflicted people to church. John spoke thus of the people who followed the Master: Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. (John 6:2). It is clear that without the signs, sinners would not come to Jesus to be saved!

The healing performed by Peter and John at the Beautiful Gate of the temple in Jerusalem made it known that God had given those who believe in Him the power to minister healing to the sick and deliverance to the troubled and oppressed. As a result, people came to hear the Good News and decided to surrender control of their lives to Jesus and follow Him. A miracle is worth more than a thousand sermons!      

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares