Acts 3: 9

The church of today must learn how to multi-task well. Luke plainly records for us “And all the people saw him walking and praising God” (Acts 3:9). He was doing natural and spiritual at the same time. What happened in the spiritual was so spectacular that he was finally able to do what was impossible for him to do from the very day of his birth. The name and word of Jesus were powerfully and miraculously spoken over his life commanding him to do what for all his life he could not do – Rise up and walk. It seemed simple enough but without the creative, supernatural power of Jesus, he would have died just as he always was, paralyzed and powerless, until the Pentecostal outpouring of the Holy Spirit enveloped his entire being that day.

It really is true what a difference a day makes in all our lives. Can you imagine this man was carried to the temple daily, according to Acts 3:2. Day after day, he was found begging alms, inevitably seeing the world go by and his life slowly ebbing away in misery and monotony. It was a daily occurrence until this one day, that which happened in the temple spilled out beyond the temple precincts into the streets.

It is such a blessing to know that Pentecost continues. I venture to underscore here that something of Pentecost still happens daily somewhere across the globe. It unfailingly continues. It is the duty of Pentecostal believers like Peter and John to raise people’s expectations everywhere and to challenge the weak, powerless, and disempowered to rise and walk.

As the man graciously received his healing, he rose and walked. He is described as immediately “… walking and leaping and praising God” (v 8). He spontaneously entered the temple with Peter and John. He eagerly went to church. He testified. He vigorously opened his mouth in praise. He unashamedly, unapologetically became a leading witness. He enthusiastically celebrated. He made effective use of the miracle. He wasted no time. He refused to stay quiet. No longer having to be carried, one could just imagine the explosive joy that now characterized every waking moment of his new-found life. When Jesus comes in, you no longer want to say it casually but like this formerly impotent character, you instinctively want to walk it out, talk it out, leap, and shout it out.

Having read this passage over and over this verse really jumps out at me “And all the people saw him walking and praising God” (v9). Let the people hear us!  Let the people see us – walking and praising God! He was not afraid of being a showpiece for Jesus, a genuine spectacle for the Savior, a mouthpiece for the Messiah. Let us never be deterred in our expressions of praise for the Savior! As you walk, praise Jesus for the miracles and every act of merciful grace. May we always keep in mind that Pentecost without proclamation and demonstration is only empty drama. Let the people see us walking and praising God!