David Bahn – Reflections

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Acts 4:13-22

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. ¹⁵ But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, ¹⁶ saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” ¹⁸ So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, ²⁰ for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” ²¹ And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. ²² For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

I thought Dr. “Red” Duke, famous Houston physician and TV personality said it. But upon more careful research, he may have said it, but it dates well earlier than Dr. Duke’s TV appearances. Ready: Old age isn’t so bad when you consider the alternative. Or, “Getting old is difficult. But the alternative is rotten (rotting?). Clever, and even more applicable to me today than even 10 years ago.

On the other hand, Jesus says that it is those who have childlike faith who are the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven (or Kingdom of God) is a realm of faith: the gracious rule and reign of God by faith in the heart of the believer. As such, we must allow that children may have saving faith. When we baptize an infant, we are actually providing a true focus or object for his or her faith.

By the time someone grows up, adding a few years of disappointments of promises not kept, he becomes more callous and less trusting by nature. We become suspect when the way cool decoder ring promised in the Cracker Jack box is cheap throw-away. Then we are promised a better job that never materializes. Our close friend betrays a confidence. We close our hearts. We harden our souls against hope. The older we get the more skeptical we become.

So when this man who is 40 years old reports that he has been healed – or when the people see this 40 year old man now walking – they know something really happened. This isn’t a last-minute plant, who miraculously gains his sight. This isn’t an insider who is pretending to have won the giant teddy bear at the carnival. They’ve seen this man for years, struggling to get by. He’s old enough not to be taken in. This is the real deal.

Our son, one Sunday went to his friend’s house to tell him about Jesus. We thought that was really cute. But when the father of the bride spoke at the wedding reception for a newly-wed couple and gave a clear public witness to Jesus Christ and the importance of faith, I took note. I suspect it had an impact on others as well.

As we wait for that time when our numbered days come to an end, and we pass from this veil of tears to the life of the world to come, it is vital that we join Paul and say, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) That’s true no matter how old we are.