Article October 28, 1944 ISSUE

Let Us Expect Good

AILEEN E. WAVRO

IN the third chapter of Acts we read of that revealing incident which occurred "at the hour of prayer . . . at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful." As Peter and John were about to enter the temple, they were accosted by a beggar who had been lame since birth. Peter said to him, "Look on us," and then the Scripture sets forth an important fact: "and he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them." In that one sentence is an important key to all Scriptural healing: he expected to receive something. The story goes on to relate that he was immediately healed and "entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God."

The New Testament is richly interwoven with accounts of Christian healing resulting from this expectation of good to be received. Jesus on several occasions said to those he healed, "Thy faith hath made thee whole." To the centurion who said, "Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed," Jesus replied, commending his faith, with the words, "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel," While, in direct contrast, the Gospel of Matthew makes a poignant statement about his neighbors in Nazareth who expected nothing of Jesus or his teachings: "And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief."

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