"9 And all the people saw him walking and praising GOD,
10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's.
12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or "WHY DO YOU STARE AT US", as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?
13 The GOD of Abraham, the GOD of Isaac, and the GOD of Jacob, the GOD of our fathers, glorified HIS servant JESUS, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he (Pilate) had decided to release HIM.
14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
15 and you killed the Author of life, whom GOD raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.
16 And his name-by faith in HIS name-has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through JESUS has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all."
The Jews, nor Romans, nor any other man, killed JESUS. HE sacrificed HIMSELF on the altar of Calvary as atonement for my sins, for your sins, and the sins of all mankind. To believe that JESUS was "murdered" would dictate that mankind either was more powerful than GOD or the devil might have won a victory over GOD at sometime in history.
You have heard me state in my writings that GOD has a Plan. If this FACT were not true then "fate" or "chance" might play a roll in life's happenings. We don't have to understand GOD's Plan. As a matter of fact, HE wouldn't be much of a GOD if humans could figure HIM out and know why HE does everything HE does? Scripture doesn't tell us to try and figure out why GOD does everything HE does. However, many times in scripture we are told to TRUST HIM!
Peter and John didn't go to the "Beautiful Gate" of the temple on a mission to show off their healing powers. As a matter of fact, Peter said I verse 12 that they DIDN'T heal him. GOD healed this man for HIS OWN Glory! Peter and John didn't have to understand how or why, only that GOD directed them to assist the man and he was made whole!
"WHY DO YOU STARE AT US" was not an indictment on the Jews lack of faith in Peter or John's ability to heal, rather the Jews lack of faith in an invisible GOD being ready and able to work miracles for HIS glory! GOD is GOD and only HE can do what HE wishes. Isaiah 46:9-10 says "remember the former things of old; for I am GOD, and there is no other; I am GOD, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I WILL ACCOMPLISH ALL MY PURPOSE".
In the hospital waiting room last Saturday morning a family was waiting for their grandchild to be born, just like we were waiting for ours to be born. Around mid-day the grandmother walked by and told us their grandchild "did not make it"! We were dumbfounded! Sadness, hurt, grief, pity.......a flood of emotions swamped me as I searched for "words" to comfort, but what could I say? If I had been a Multi-Billionaire I could not have given the family enough money to fill the gaping hole in their hearts and lives!
Just like Peter and John were being stared upon by the Jews, I found myself JUST STARING upon this grandmother in her position. WORDS weren't adequate. When GOD's Plan does fit into our narrative should we try to find a reason or explanation for it? Should we attempt to find comforting WORDS to aid those in need? No one wants to be the one saying "WHY DO YOU STARE AT US", and most prefer NOT being the one staring at others! Sometimes we just have to realize we aren't GOD and we don't have the answer to life's questions. We might have to just have faith in HIM that HE knows what HE is doing. HE didn't consult with me before Creating the Universes, and HE doesn't need help from me running HIS Creation! HE just needs me to worship HIM!!!
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