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By Colleen Beebe

“...You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see...Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.” Acts 3:15-16; 19-20

In the above passage, Peter is speaking to astonished onlookers at the temple’s gate in Jerusalem who had just witnessed him heal a “man crippled from birth.”  The man had been carried to the temple gate, where he asked people entering the temple for money every day. Neither Peter, nor John with whom he was with, had money to give the beggar. But they did not ignore him. They looked straight at him, saw his condition, and spoke to him. Peter admitted that they had no money to give to him, but offered to give him what they had and said, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” They did not leave the man alone. After speaking to him, Peter then took him by the hand and helped him walk. And the man’s feet and ankles became strong and he walked.

As we reflect on this scripture in the context of bringing about justice for those who have been physically and sexually abused, let us remember that: 

• Redemption comes from God. Peter and John rebuke the astonished crowd that they did not heal the man by their “own power or godliness.” They remind the onlookers that the “God of our fathers,” through Jesus, who they had disowned and handed over to be killed, is the one who made the man strong. Let us remember that God employs his children to bring about justice, but it is God who gives us strength and redemption. 
  
• Redemption does not discriminate based on socio-economic status. Peter and John had no money. The beggar had no money. All three were rich in faith and God redeemed them all. God works with what we have to redeem.
  
• Redemption requires relationship. In order for redemption to take place, Peter and John publicly recognized their relationship to and with God; and, they established a relationship with the person who needed help.
  
• Redemption requires effort. Ensuring freedom from the effects of sin and the sin itself can be a messy business. Recovering from physical and   sexual abuse is a long process. We may find ourselves in long-term and challenging relationships when we work with victims of abuse. We are also called to work with the very ones who cause such harm-sexual abusers-who also need redemption. Both often face stigmatization and rejection by society.
  
• Redemption gives life to what is dead. What society meant for dead-the Author of Life-God raised from the dead. Those who are “dead” due to abuse-the victims and survivors-have the hope of complete healing in Jesus. Those who are dead due to sin-perpetrators-are offered   redemption and healing through Jesus.