Jumping and leaping

But Peter said to him, ‘I have no money at all, but I give you what I have: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth I order you to get up and walk!’ Then he took him by his right hand and helped him up. At once the man’s feet and ankles became strong; he jumped up, stood on his feet, and started walking around. Then he went into the Temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God. (verses 6-8)

Read Acts 3:1-10

He had been crippled from birth. He existed on handouts. He was so crippled that he even had to be carried to the temple gate so that he could ply his trade. He had never danced nor had he ever kicked a football. But then he was healed – healed by the name of Jesus.

We were crippled from birth – not with a physical disability but with a spiritual disability. It was such a profound spiritual disability that we could never live the life that we were created to live. But then healing came to us. In our baptism we too were healed – healed for life.

But every now and then we cripple ourselves when we fail to love God or when we fail to love others. But we can again receive healing from our guilt, shame or anger when we repent and receive the healing that only Jesus can give. So let us this day jump up, leap around and praise God for the salvation he has won for us!

This is the day which the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it! Amen.

by Greg Graham, in ‘Guidance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2002)

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