The Change Must Be Visible

They recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Acts 3:10

There is something about change! In order to agree that a change has happened, there has to be a reference point and the new state of the changed subject must be different from the reference point.  

Consider the example of the man healed by Peter and John at the Beautiful Gate. They recognized him – the same man who used to sit begging for alms. But something remarkable had happened: he was no longer the same helpless, crippled man they once knew. The healing power of Jesus Christ had transformed him. His previous crippled state served as a stark contrast to the visible change: he could now walk, jump, and shout.

The visible change in the crippled man’s life is a powerful illustration of the transformative work that Jesus desires to do in each of us. Just as the man’s physical condition was radically altered, we are also called to undergo a spiritual transformation when we encounter Christ.

Before coming to know Jesus, we are spiritually crippled, bound by the chains of sin and separated from God. But through His grace and mercy, He reaches down to lift us from our helpless state and bring us into His glorious light of forgiveness and redemption.”

However, this transformation is not merely an internal change – it is meant to be visible to all. Just as the people at the temple recognized the once-crippled man’s transformation, so too should others be able to see the change that Jesus has wrought in our lives.

John the Baptist explained it better when he told the people to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). In other words, our lives should bear witness to the transformative power of Christ within us. Our actions, attitudes, and behaviour should reflect the love, grace, and mercy that we have received from Him.

As Christians, we are called to be His ambassadors in the world, shining His light brightly for all to see. Our lives should be a testimony to His power to heal, restore, and transform. When others look at us, they should see Jesus reflected in every aspect of our lives.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for the transformative work you are doing in my life through your Son, Jesus Christ. I praise You for the healing and restoration that I have experienced through His grace and mercy. Help me, Lord, to live a life that reflects the change you have brought about in me. Let my words, actions, and attitudes bear witness to your love, grace, and mercy, drawing others into a relationship with you. Amen.