“In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, ‘Stand up on your feet!’ At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.“
Acts 14:8-10
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FEBRUARY 18, 2025
Yesterday’s devotion was titled “As Usual” because the text described Paul and Barnabas continuing their ministry “as usual.” But I wish I had saved the phrase for today’s text, because this is a scene we’ve seen before. Take a look:
“Jesus…said to them, ‘Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.’ So he said to the man, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all.
Mark 2:9-12a
“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, ‘Look at us!’ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.”
Acts 3:1-8
…and these are not all the accounts! Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus encountering those who were lame, who had never walked—only to have them get up and walk away. Right after Jesus ascended and the Spirit came on the believers, Peter and John demonstrated that they intended to continue Jesus’ work of healing, and lame men walked away from them, too. Now, Paul and Barnabas are doing the same.
As the saying goes, once is amazing, twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern.
As the week goes on, we’ll unpack what happened in Lystra on account of this healing. But for now, let’s grapple with this pattern: everywhere the good news of Jesus goes, by the power of the Spirit, the sick are healed, and the lame take up their mats and go home.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- What do you think of this pattern? What does it teach us about God, Jesus’ followers, and the people who gravitate to Jesus and His Church?
- Has Jesus healed you? Has Jesus used you to heal others?
- What does this pattern mean for our discipleship lives and communities today?
Church Reading Plan: Exodus 1; Luke 4