Acts 3:1-10
1 One day Peter and John were going up to the
temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.
2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being
carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg
from those going into the temple courts.
3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he
asked them for money.
4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”
5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to
get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have,
but what I do have I give you. In the
name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up,
and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.
8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple
courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
9 When all the people saw him walking and praising
God,
10 They recognized him as the same man who used to
sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with
wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
This is a very familiar Bible story involving the disciples
Peter and John, the lame man, and the people at the temple as spectators. Everyone knew who the lame man was, for he
was at the temple gate every day for a number of years. Every day when the man asked for money, he
expected a few coins from temple worshipers who pitied him or moved by God’s
compassion, perhaps some quiet rebuffs.
What he didn't think to ask for and had given up all hope for was
healing. No doctor or political leader
or any powerful person could have given him this. Only Jesus could!
But on that day, everything changed for him. The lame man received much more than he had
asked for. He asked for money, but he
received healing, freedom from a life of begging, a new beginning, and a
powerful undeniable testimony! He was
set free from a lifetime of helplessness and shame, no longer dependent on
other people’s charity. He can work for a
living, and he can walk/skip/run/ jump to the temple to worship God. Tears of gratitude streaming form his face,
shouts of joy pouring from his lips, strong legs and feet leaping and dancing
are all evident on this once-lame man. No
one could ignore him now, not even the religious establishment who were so
against Jesus and His followers.
What about me? Am I
ignoring what God is showing to me? Did
I ask Jesus for some answer to prayer, only to receive something far greater
than what I have asked for? Receiving
this greater answer to prayer would require much more faith on my part, much
more persecution in my life, but also much more spiritual blessings. The
lame man would have forgotten who have given him money, but he would never
forget Who have healed him and changed his life. He became a living breathing testimony of
God’s power to the people in his community.
Let’s ask and expect great things from God. Let us experience unforgettable encounters
with God and grow in our faith and devotion to Him!
