Concerned About the Right Person's Reaction

Scripture: So he jumped up and started to walk, and he entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God ... While he was holding on to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astonished, ran toward them in what is called Solomon’s Colonnade. Acts 3:8,11

Observation: Over and over, when Jesus healed people, we saw them react in different ways. Sometimes they wanted to follow Jesus (but were often told they should not). Sometimes they would be delighted, but would then go away, perhaps not even really saying thanks, and ending up in almost a lost state where their behavior did not much change. However, with this man - the first miraculous healing by the disciples after Pentecost - we see a reaction of clear gratitude.

Once standing, the man celebrates, jumping around with joy, and ... he won't leave Peter and John alone! He enters the temple courtyard with them, leaping around and declaring praises, clearly bringing attention to all three of them. He holds onto Peter and John; he doesn't jump around the entire temple complex, but he stays right there with the disciples. It seems clear that he is going to remain that way, desiring to be part of this movement of faith being led by the disciples. Perhaps he wants to learn more about Jesus, the name pronounced over him that healed him. He certainly is willing to embrace whatever Peter and John are about to do and say next. And if he is an informed person who knows what has transpired in Jerusalem over the past two months, he has no issues with the risks ... he is clearly willing to declare to everyone throughout the entire temple that he was the lame man, now healed, by the disciples, in the name of Jesus.

This man's life changed in an instant, and he embraces it immediately. He doesn't care about perceptions, rules, backlash, questions, or any fear about how such changes may alter his future. He leans into it, accepts the salvation of Jesus, and praises the Lord.

Application: I have way too much fear about my life. I don't have fear as in I'm afraid I might die or life will be terrible. I have fear about FAR less fearful items, like ... am I prepared for my next meeting, what will my performance review be like, if we are spending too much at restaurants. And mostly, I fear others thinking badly of me. I forget two very important truths:

1) People DO think badly of me, and for reasons I really can't control.

2) Whether they do or don't is utterly meaningless compared to what God thinks of me.

I have a post-it note right in front of me that says, "I have nothing to prove, I have someone to please." If only I would live that out.

Prayer: Lord, I do not wish to offend, anger, or in any way hurt others today. However, you are truly the only one I have to please. May my words toward others, and my acts in all situations, please you, today and every day. How others receive that is a matter between you and them that really doesn't even involve me. Amen.