DON’T LOOK AT ME

May 9

Bible Reading: Acts 3

Acts 3:12, “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us…?”

Peter and John were a part of an amazing miracle.  A man lame from his mother’s womb was begging alms from those who were entering the temple.  Peter and John came upon the man and gave him no alms.  Instead, Peter reached out his hand and said, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6).  “And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God” (Acts 3:8).

The people saw the man and recognized him to be the lame beggar.  They saw what had happened to him and “were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him” (Acts 3:10).  While the healed man was clinging to Peter and John, the people were staring at them.  Peter saw them staring and responded by clarifying that the healing was sourced not in them or their power, but in Jesus: “And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all” (Acts 3:16).

The miraculous healing of the lame beggar happened for a specific purpose.  The purpose was not to elevate or draw attention to Peter and John, but to testify to the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The people saw what happened and marveled. Peter explained how it happened.  He had done the same in his first sermon.  The people wondered how it was that they were hearing the Galileans speaking to them in their own native languages (Acts 2:9).  Peter used that miraculous event to declare the truth regarding Christ’s death and resurrection (Acts 2:14f).  This pattern — a miraculous event providing the opportunity to proclaim the truth about Jesus—is repeated throughout the book of Acts.  From its inception, the church was Spirit-led to preach, as a matter “of first importance,” the good news of Christ’s death for sins and resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:23-24; 3:15; 4:10; 4:10; 4:33; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30, etc.; 1 Corinthians 2:2; 15:3-4).  The miracles that occurred provided opportunities to proclaim the good news.

In his message to the people, Peter made it clear where the power for the healing came from — “the faith that is through Jesus has given this man perfect health” (Acts 3:16).  He called upon the people to repent.  “Many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of men came to about five thousand” (Acts 4:4).  Later called upon to give an account to the religious leaders of what he was doing, he reiterated the same truth: “If we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well” (Acts 4:9-10).  The people were staring at Peter and John, but Peter diverted their focus to the Lord Jesus.  The religious leaders interrogated Peter and John, but Peter again directed their attention to He who saves.  Such is the nature of any Spirit-led ministry or endeavor.  Its goal is ever and always to elevate and glorify the Son (John 16:14).  The Spirit Himself, in effect, says, “Don’t look at Me, look to Him!”

It was the Risen and Ascended Jesus who healed the lame-from-birth beggar.  Peter made that clear.  People saw what happened and believed in Jesus.  To this day, Jesus has been at work healing sin-sick souls.  While He privileges us to play a part in making the truth known, it is He alone who saves (1 Corinthians 3:1-9).  Let us be ever mindful to follow Peter’s Spirit-led example— “Don’t look at us, look to Him” (2 Corinthians 4:7; Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12).  He who died for sins and rose from the dead is well able to heal lame-from-birth beggars and sin-sick souls (Ephesians 2:1-3, 8-9).  All the glory belongs to Him!

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory” (Psalm 115:1a).

To God be the glory, great things he has done!
So loved he the world that he gave us his Son,
who yielded his life an atonement for sin,
and opened the life-gate that all may go in.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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