Article February 20, 1984 Issue

Healing: miracle, or result of correct view?

JOANNE SHRIVER LEEDOM

A man lame from birth begged daily at the temple in Jerusalem. Two men came to pray, and the lame beggar asked for alms. But the men, Peter and John, had far more to give the beggar than just a few coins. Having recently witnessed the resurrection and ascension of their great Teacher, Christ Jesus, they were filled with spiritual inspiration and the power of God.

Peter replied to the beggar, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."^{Acts 3:6.} And the Bible records that as Peter took him by the hand the lame man rose up, his feet and ankle bones made strong.

The people of the times interpreted this healing as a miracle, but what had really happened? Did Peter and John, through supernatural means, change weakened bones and flesh into strong, healthy bones and flesh? Certainly there was a change in the man's physical condition. But what effected this? Was it the light of Christ, Truth, shining through Peter and John's thinking? to some degree they must have perceived the reality of what was already there—the free, properly functioning spiritual man of God's creating.

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