“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 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 . When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, ‘Look at us!’ So the man gave them his attention , expecting to get something from them.
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!’ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man that used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” Acts 3: 1-10
It was the hour of prayer. So many people crowded into the temple with so many needs for prayer; personal, financial , medical, etc., so preoccupied with their problems in their own little world, their own urgencies eclipsing all others, Lord knows! Their heads were so full of personal concerns as they came and left, that it escaped their notice that there was a man seated at the entrance to the sanctuary.
He was a man that was crippled in his legs from birth. Luke, the physician and author of the book of Acts (superintended by the Holy Spirit), would have noticed the muscular atrophy and contracture of his lower extremities, that bore witness to his chronic condition of about 40 years. (Acts 4:22) He was daily dependent on his friends to carry him to the entrance of the sanctuary for he was a cripple, and he had to beg for his living. He appearance was so regular at the beautiful gate that it seemed as though he was a piece of furniture. An occasional person would see him out of the corner of their eye, and drop alms into his waiting basket. Interesting that Luke does not record his name; a name that we must assume is known only to God, whose thoughts about him “outnumber the grains of sands.” (Psalm 139:17-18)
This man had prayers too. First it was for his daily bread. But his prayers went far deeper than this. Like the psalmist, “ This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his trouble. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.” Psalm 34:6-7
It was then that Peter and John saw him. He began asking them for alms, as was his routine. But Peter and John fixed their gaze on the man and said “Look at us!” He was used to looking down because even those who gave did so without even a backward glance. Surprised, he lifted his eyes to them full face. Peter said something to him that he would remember all his days: “Silver and gold have I none, but what I do have I give to you; In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—Walk!”
What happened then was a restoration miracle! Peter helped him to his feet; that was all it took, as muscle fibers regained their tone and tendons and ligaments snapped into position. He began to walk and went with Peter and John into the temple courts, walking and jumping and praising God. He sang the song of the redeemed; what God can do for us when we can’t do for ourselves.
“Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be open and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy, water will gush in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” Isaiah 35:3-6
Our lives are like a desert— unfruitful, barren, and desolate until the Messiah comes, who restores all things. Our friend at the beautiful gate “leapt like a deer” in demonstrable, immutable testimony that He had come.
Questions To Think About:
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!’ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man that used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” Acts 3: 1-10
It was the hour of prayer. So many people crowded into the temple with so many needs for prayer; personal, financial , medical, etc., so preoccupied with their problems in their own little world, their own urgencies eclipsing all others, Lord knows! Their heads were so full of personal concerns as they came and left, that it escaped their notice that there was a man seated at the entrance to the sanctuary.
He was a man that was crippled in his legs from birth. Luke, the physician and author of the book of Acts (superintended by the Holy Spirit), would have noticed the muscular atrophy and contracture of his lower extremities, that bore witness to his chronic condition of about 40 years. (Acts 4:22) He was daily dependent on his friends to carry him to the entrance of the sanctuary for he was a cripple, and he had to beg for his living. He appearance was so regular at the beautiful gate that it seemed as though he was a piece of furniture. An occasional person would see him out of the corner of their eye, and drop alms into his waiting basket. Interesting that Luke does not record his name; a name that we must assume is known only to God, whose thoughts about him “outnumber the grains of sands.” (Psalm 139:17-18)
This man had prayers too. First it was for his daily bread. But his prayers went far deeper than this. Like the psalmist, “ This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his trouble. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.” Psalm 34:6-7
It was then that Peter and John saw him. He began asking them for alms, as was his routine. But Peter and John fixed their gaze on the man and said “Look at us!” He was used to looking down because even those who gave did so without even a backward glance. Surprised, he lifted his eyes to them full face. Peter said something to him that he would remember all his days: “Silver and gold have I none, but what I do have I give to you; In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—Walk!”
What happened then was a restoration miracle! Peter helped him to his feet; that was all it took, as muscle fibers regained their tone and tendons and ligaments snapped into position. He began to walk and went with Peter and John into the temple courts, walking and jumping and praising God. He sang the song of the redeemed; what God can do for us when we can’t do for ourselves.
“Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be open and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy, water will gush in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” Isaiah 35:3-6
Our lives are like a desert— unfruitful, barren, and desolate until the Messiah comes, who restores all things. Our friend at the beautiful gate “leapt like a deer” in demonstrable, immutable testimony that He had come.
Questions To Think About:
- The man had become like a “piece of furniture “ to those entering the temple. Are there people in your daily routine —at work, at church, or in your neighborhood—that you have truly stopped seeing?
- When you go to God in prayer, do you find yourself expecting to get something specific (like silver or gold), or are you open to Him providing a greater restoration you haven’t even imagined?
- Peter focused more on what he did have (the name of the Jesus). Do you often focus more on your limitations than on the spiritual authority God has given you?
- Is there a “desert” area in your life right now (something barren or unfruitful) where you need to invite the Messiah to bring restoration ?
- The crowds were so “preoccupied with their problems “ that they missed the miracle at the gate. How can you guard your heart against becoming so busy with “religious duties” that you miss the move of God right in front of you?
Posted in Streams In The Desert