Acts 3:1-10 A Lame Man Healed
“Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”
Peter and John are attending temple at 3 PM as good observant Jews when they are accosted by one of the beggars on the temple steps. We don’t know whether this man suffered from spina bifida or from bilateral clubbed feet, but he has been lame from birth. The man’s friends have to carry this man to this prime begging spot where faithful worshipers will undoubtedly donate liberally. When Peter and John show up, the beggar expects that they too will donate, but Peter is about to do something better. “Look at us,” Peter orders. “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” The beggar’s first reaction is undoubtedly, “HUH?” But Peter grabs the beggar’s right hand, lifting him up, and suddenly the beggar’s feet and ankle bones become strong. (This is why I suspect bilateral clubbed feet.) The beggar hops up and enters the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God! For decades this poor man has been an object of pity, but today he is fully a man with all kinds of possibilities. Everybody in the temple is amazed because they recognize this guy; they’ve just passed him sitting on the steps on the way in.
Such scenes are not new to Peter and John; when Jesus sent them out to minister, they prayed for people who got healed. But this man’s reaction is different, for he immediately praises God. Also, many of the miracles Peter and John have been part of previously have been relatively private ones, but this miracle is about as public as possible. And Peter has already preached in the streets of Jerusalem, causing three thousand people to turn to Jesus. Peter and John have become public figures and everyone is watching intently.
We read about these miracles and assume that such things have ended with the early church. But that is far from the case. One of our pastor friends who works in South America has taught his church members to pray for all kinds of people, and he has incredible stories of healings, sometimes healings resulting from small children praying in faith. God is no respecter of persons and the Holy Spirit will gladly anoint anyone who makes himself or herself available. As we continue to study the Holy Spirit, please realize that God will use you just as readily as He has used disciples such as Peter and John.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, we believe but help our unbelief. Help us to be willing to step out and pray for people, knowing that the power comes from You and not from us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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