Shadows of the Savior

Acts 5:12–16 (NASB95)

12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico. 13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. 14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number, 15 to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. 16 Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

Now when it comes to divine healing we can make the mistake of going to one extreme or the other.

One end you hear from the heresy of the prosperity gospel. That God wants you healthy and wealthy all the time. That’s contrary to the gospel and the fact that we are called to die to ourselves!

On the other end you might of heard of cessationism. Cessationism is the thought that all the spiritual gifts, including healing. Have stopped after the apostolic church age of the early church. That certainly is NOT the case. The spiritual gifts including healing are still active in the Church. God.is.not.dead!

The overall picture of healing in the Bible is one of restoration. This is sometimes the restoration of physical health after some illness or injury.

At other times the healing is spiritual in nature, and the restoration involves forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God.

Our text begins by telling us that many miracles and healings were happening and that they gathered at a place called “Soloman’s portico” or some translations say “Soloman’s Portico”

It was a structure which made up part of the temple complex built by Herod in Jerusalem. This colonnade like the others that surrounded the temple provided a meeting place for individuals to discuss Scripture.

Jesus’ disciples gathered at this location and the early Jerusalem church also met there.

Its actually mentioned by Jesus in John 10 where it mentions that the feast of the dedication now called the festival of lights took place in the winter and Jesus was walking in this very temple. in the portico of Solomon , It is here that Jesus affirms that He is the messiah, the Christ, the Lord of all.

That brings me to my first point...

Gods healing gives light to even the darkest of shadows

I remember at my last church. We had this one guy. He was rough around the edges, was bald and had a beard, lots of tattoos. He would cut the churches grass and the parsonage. He did it for free too because he said he considered it a ministry. He said he found peace and purpose in doing it.

Lots of times I would be sitting on my porch when he would come to do it. he’d come and sit with me on the porch and we would talk about life, football, our country, and God.

Those were special times for us. We’d call them “Porch talks”. It’s amazing how when you give your life to people how much blessing you receive back because I recieved Gods healing touch in the those conversations too.

I remember reading about the ministry of Rev. Eugene Rivers. He was a pastor in the inner city of Boston. He was frustrated and discouraged that he was losing so many kids to the streets. So one day he asked a drug dealer why he was losing this battle for the hearts and minds of these kids?

The drug dealer said....

When Johnny goes out to get a loaf of bread for mamma im there-youre not

When he needs a pair of shoes, im there-youre not

When he needs someone to talk to and vent to. im there and youre not.

I win, you lose

Presence means everything to people. Especially now during this Covid season.

We see in our text how despite many signs and wonders were happening by the hands of the apostles that people respected them but they didnt want to be associated with them!

I can definetely relate to that? There are times when i see or hear people do something crazy and out of this world that it is just mind blowing to me!

Like if someone is in a plane and they jump out using a parachute. Now that might be fun to some but for me that just aint happening. If someone asks if im with them id tell them no! I’ll respect them but I won’t join them.

Its the same way here with some of the followers. They werent willing to get on the plane with Peter, John and the others. They werent even willing to fly in coach. But they respected them for their faith.

So why is that? Why can we admire someone for something they do but not do it ourselves? They know that they need to get on the plane to get to a certain destination but.they.dont.

That brings me to my next point....

Sometimes broken people don’t want to be fixed

This is what was happening with those who were followers but who were on the fence about going all in. I am sure we know people like that. Maybe WE are people like that. When God moves in a supernatural way it can be intimidating for people but it shouldn’t paralyze us but it should propel us into further obedience.

I’ve had two people I have prayed for be healed of cancer and are still alive today. Ive had other receive partial healings and some God chose not to heal in this life. It’s intimidating when he works this way and it can be surprising but it shouldn’t be.

Sometimes the brokenness people have they become comfortable with. They become numb to the fact that they a remedy for it.

It makes me think of that show hoarders. They are people who accumulate so much stuff in their house that it becomes a threat to their health. They don’t even have a trail to walk through in their own home. The smell becomes unbearable for visitors yet for those living their they have just become use to it. They refuse to acknowledge that anything is wrong.

It can be the same way for us spiritually too. We need to be careful that we dont harden our hearts when God speaks to us. The longer we stay in the condition of our sin the harder it will be for us to hear the voice of God.

Now on the other side of that. It bring me to my final point that...

Gods healing attracts us to Him

In our text it mentions that multiple men and woman were added to their number. That the place got so full that they had to start laying people in the streets on pallets and hoped that Peters shadow would be casted on them for healing.

I don't know about you, but I seldom give much thought to my shadow. Unless something draws my attention to it, I don't look at it, nor do I think about what it may touch. But whether I think about it or not, my shadow is still there. Just like our shadows, each of us has an unconscious influence that always attends our lives.

Whether we think about it or not, we cannot separate ourselves from the influence we have in the lives of others. This influence can be negative or positive. For example, Germany will never be able to id itself of the influence of one man! Though he has been dead for many years; that country remains in the shadow of Adolf Hitler.

Consider also the shadow of the cross upon this world. No other event in history has had a greater impact than the cross of Jesus Christ.

Just imagine the difference we could make if we would project the shadow of Christ. That everyone our path crosses with would be touched by the healing power of God! That we would extend the same mercy, grace, truth, and love to everyone we encounter that Christ has showed to us!

What type of shadow are you casting?

Are you giving light in someone’s darkness?

Are you mending someone’s brokenness with the wholeness of Christ?

Are you being attractive to others by how you carry God’s presence?