6/29/20

To jump for joy! by Gary Rose



Beautiful picture, but one with an obvious flaw. It looks like someone inserted a man that is leaping just above the middle of that bridge. Why would someone do that? In a way it spoils the beauty of the picture; that scenic picturesque quality that you only find when you view God’s creation. But, perhaps it adds something to it as well. It could add a little humor, for it does appear to look a little leprechaun waving at you. That’s probably it; someone decided to be “funny”. But, as I look at it more, it could just be the expression of someone so happy that they would leap for joy! Have you ever felt like that, I know I have. And when I think about that little leaping man, I am reminded of someone from the book of Acts…


Acts 3 ( World English Bible )

1 Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. *

2 A certain man who was lame from his mother’s womb was being carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask gifts for the needy of those who entered into the temple.

3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive gifts for the needy.

4 Peter, fastening his eyes on him, with John, said, “Look at us.”

5 He listened to them, expecting to receive something from them.

6 But Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”

7 He took him by the right hand, and raised him up. Immediately his feet and his ankle bones received strength.

8 Leaping up, he stood, and began to walk. He entered with them into the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God.


This man did receive money or possessions, he was given something far more important – his health. Beyond his health, he was miraculously given something he had never experienced, namely, the ability to walk and even leap. When you or I are sick, we gradually get better, but for someone who had never walked in his life, to be able to leap up and begin to walk without ever having learned how to do it, well, that is a miracle.


Even through the apostolic age of miraculous healing has passed, nonetheless, God still changing us spiritually, for when we become a Christian everything changes inside us, for as Paul said:


2 Corinthians 5 ( WEB )

17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, * all things have become new.


We no longer live a life dedicated to sin, but rather do our very best to follow God in our entire life. And God will reward us for this, with nothing less than eternal life in heaven with him.

Now, That is something to jump for joy about!