When Faith Restores, Who Gets the Glory?
Versi Bahasa Indonesia dari tulisan ini dimuat di WarungSaTeKaMu.org dengan judul Saat Iman Memulihkan, Siapa yang Dimuliakan?
Have you ever experienced an event that made you and those around you ask, "How could that possibly happen?" So astonishing was the incident that you ran out of ways to explain it. Last month, I had the opportunity to examine an explanation of a miracle that was recorded by Luke in the book of Acts. Here is the history.
Commotion was sweeping through Jerusalem. On the day of Pentecost some time ago, there was a mighty rushing wind that filled an entire house (2:2). Apparently, around 120 people (1:15) were gathered in its upper room (1:13). Then tongues of fire appeared above them, yet strangely they did not burn! Instead, one by one they were rested upon and indwelt by those tongues of fire (2:3). Stranger still, those who appeared to be Galileans began to speak in other languages (2:4, 7, 9–11). And what they uttered could not have been mere drunken babbling from new wine (2:13). Consistently they were declaring one thing in various tongues: the mighty works of God (2:11). Then one of them stood up and began to preach about how the prophecies of old times had been fulfilled by one Jesus of Nazareth (wasn't he crucified a few months ago and his body disappeared?), who had risen from the dead and now reigns as Lord and Christ (2:14–36). The preacher then called all listeners to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (2:37–40). Astonishingly, about three thousand people responded to his call. Thus was born a "strange" community. They always gathered for fellowship, both at the temple and in homes, to praise God (2:46–47), to listen to teaching, to break bread, and to pray (2:41–42). They considered all their possessions as common property, even selling their belongings to be distributed according to each person's need (2:44–45). Their leaders, known as "apostles," performed many miracles and wonders that caused astonishment and awe (2:43). Somehow, everyone favoured them, so there were always those who joined them from time to time (2:47).
The Miracle: The Healing of the Lame Man at the Beautiful Gate
In the midst of this commotion, Luke records one miracle that took place at the temple. One afternoon around three o'clock, Peter and John were entering the temple to pray (3:1) through the gate called the Beautiful Gate. There, a man lame from birth was asking for alms from people passing by every day (3:2).
Seeing Peter and John pass by, the lame man asked them for alms (3:3) as usual. However, the response he encountered was unusual. For nearly 40 years of his life (4:22) begging (ironically!) at the Beautiful Gate, he was accustomed to receiving coins without anyone paying attention. But this time he heard gentle words, "Look at us" (3:4). The lame man looked up, his eyes meeting Peter and John, hopeful that he would receive alms (3:5). His heart may have sunk when he heard Peter's opening words, "I have no silver and gold…" but what he heard next was equally astonishing, "…but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" (3:6). Seeing Peter's outstretched hand, the lame man reached for it hesitantly. When the man was successfully helped to stand, he instantly felt what he had never felt before: his feet (3:7)! Luke then recounts what happened next (3:8–11):
[8] And leaping up, [the man] stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. [9] And all the people saw him walking and praising God, [10] and recognised 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.”
Seeing the crowd, Peter preached for the second time (3:11–26) in this book at Solomon's Portico (v. 11). There are many things we can learn from his sermon, but let us focus on verses 11–16. There, we find three lessons about faith, "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1), which is also the explanation behind the miracle of healing the lame man. First, the miracle of healing through faith is not about our own power and piety (3:12). Here Peter affirms that he and John contributed nothing to the healing of the lame man. So then, what (or who) healed the lame man? Certainly the Lord, but we need to understand that this healing occurred because of His freely given grace, not because of the efforts of the lame man, Peter, John, or any other human. Imagine you are hungry, and I have a packet of chocolate biscuits in my hand. Which action demonstrates grace: I give you the biscuits i) for free or ii) after you do something I ask? I think Paul explains this point thoroughly in his discussion of Abraham's faith in Romans 4: For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God (v. 2). It was not Abraham's righteous actions that were counted as righteousness, but his faith in God (v. 3). You can read Romans 4 further to get a fuller picture, so I want to conclude this point with verses 4–5, which I consider a good summary: Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. Verses 13–15 then elaborate why the lame man was healed not by human power and piety: because faith is about the Lord Jesus who died and rose for us sinners. Notice that in this part Peter details the sins that the Israelites committed against Jesus, sins that anyone would commit if we were in their position. Peter's words may sound accusatory, but he uncovers one truth: although sin had corrupted humanity so severely as to even "kill the Author of life," God has utterly triumphed over it through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead (v. 15). So then, what is the connection between the resurrection of Jesus and the miracle of healing the lame man? The phrase "to this we are witnesses" (v. 15) is the bridge that connects the two. Peter, John, and other members of the early church not only witnessed firsthand the sins against Jesus but were also complicit in allowing Him to be crucified. So why did those who deserved punishment instead experienced the various astonishing events we traced above? Because they were witnesses that Jesus has triumphed over sin and death through His resurrection and now has authority over all things in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18), including saving those who believe in Him from their sins and healing a man lame from birth. Thus it is clear in the context of this miracle that faith in the name of Jesus does not draw attention to the one who exercises faith nor to the act of faith itself, but rather highlights and focuses on Jesus. This is the third point: faith glorifies Lord Jesus (3:16). Notice how the formerly lame man responded to the miracle of his healing through the faith of Peter and John: "And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God" (3:8). His reaction was so immediate, spontaneous, and enthusiastic – but why did he praise God, and not Peter and John? Wasn't it their faith that healed him? I think the formerly lame man knew that it was actually Jesus, the Son of God Himself, who healed him through the faith of Peter and John. So, faith in the name of Jesus glorifies Him in the miraculous healing of the lame man; he received the goodness and love of God, and Jesus received the glory that is rightfully His.
Faith and Miracles in the Present Day
In the present day, we may not see or hear miracles like those recorded in Acts 3:1–16 every day. Even so, faith in the name of Jesus continues to spread powerfully to this day and can become the means for "mini" miracles: perhaps not as spectacular as the healing of a lame man, but still making us ask, "How could that possibly happen?" I once experienced a "mini" miracle during my university admission process 12 years ago. Looking back, that experience was truly a grace from God. (Note: Although the recount of my experience below may seem to over-emphasize God's blessing in successful times, I personally believe that God's grace works through faith in all situations, both success and failure; for a discussion on God's gracious love in suffering, you can read my writings on Epaphroditus, the love of God in the time of COVID-19, and Izuku Midoriya.) My university tuition was very expensive. My parents recently told me that even they did not know at that time whether they could afford it or not. My father's income was uncertain, while my mother was a full-time homemaker. Praise the Lord, I was able to obtain a study loan and my father was blessed with good business so that we could pay off the entire loan by the time I graduated. As such, I was never in debt at all during my adulthood (except, of course, being eternally and infinitely indebted to the Lord and my parents). The admission process for the university I wanted to enter was very difficult. I had to take tuition classes in mathematics and English to prepare for the entrance exam. I remember struggling intensely during the classes and taking the exam to the point of thinking, "Can I really do this?" Praise the Lord, I passed the university entrance exam. However, another hurdle emerged: the admission requirements for the major I applied to were more difficult than others, in the form of an interview with a couple of professors. I still remember that interview day clearly. Around three o'clock on a Thursday afternoon, I went straight home from school, changed my clothes, turned on Skype, prayed quickly, and joined a video call with my prospective professors. This was my first time conversing entirely in English with foreigners, so imagine how nervous, fast, and unclear my speech was. But, praise be to the Lord, here I am. When I look back today, I realise that my successful entrance into the university was fully not because of my own greatness, preparation, or piety. Just like the lame man who found his feet suddenly strong, I know there was an unseen hand who supported me during those difficult times. It was all purely by God’s grace. That experience did not make me proud of myself, but rather made my eyes turn to and admire the goodness of the Lord. For in the end, faith is not about how great we are, but about who the Lord is that we believe in. He who died and rose for us, He is the one worthy to receive all praise. Regardless of whatever struggle you face today—a dead end, a lonely valley, or something else—will you turn your gaze back to Him? Let us share the stories of His goodness, for in all our weaknesses, His Good News always gives life.
The grace of Jesus Christ be with you, soli Deo gloria.
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