3 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
POINTS OF INTEREST
- v.2 This man was born lame. Do you think he ever questioned why God made him that way? Or wondered about why he was alive? Even though he didn’t have answers to those questions, he spent his whole life going up to the temple to beg.
- v.4 Peter and John, who probably are familiar with this beggar – this time round they do something different. They direct the man to look at them. Why? How did they know? What was different this time? They were full of the Holy Spirit.
- v.6 Peter tells him plainly: He has no silver or gold, but gives him what he has. What does he have? Does Peter have the power to make him walk? Peter has the authority of Jesus – and with that authority he gives the man hope, life and the knowledge of Jesus.
- v.8 Immediately this man begins praising God. God’s timing is perfect and at this moment, all the years of not knowing his purpose changes. He is part of the birth of the early church.
- This man was recognised as crippled from birth. Regularly begging outside the temple. He was familiar to all those who would go there to worship. The many years he spent in front of that temple were vital in making this miracle even more triumphant. When Peter and John healed him in the power and the name of Jesus, people were filled with “wonder and amazement” because it declared that the power and authority of Jesus was alive today.
submitted by Bert Han
PRAYING IN FAITH
If you are struggling to find meaning and purpose in your life/work/situation at the moment, take time to pause and surrender your life to God again. Offer your life to His glory, in any way He desires.
For Your Five
Ask God to fill your five with the same “wonder and amazement” that the people had. Ask God to use you in that process.
For Our Church
Jesus, stir our church to be one that jumps up and leaps and praises You, the same way that this crippled man does. Because we were born lame, but Your victory on the cross has given us new life!