The Lame Walk

Acts 3:1–10 NKJV

1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 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; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 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.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 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.

This healing closely resembles that of Jesus healing in the gospel. But the major different is that Jesus healed in His own authority, Peter healed by the name of Jesus.

In Acts the miracles were always in the service of the word, confirming God’s presence in the spread of the gospel or as a sign that enabled faith. Nowhere is that more evident than in this healing of the blind beggar.

vs 1 - Peter and John went to the temple to prayer at the 9th hour which is 3pm. It was evening Tamid which they come for prayer and sacrifice.

So around this time where the largest crowds where found at the time of sacrifice. And this is the time people would come to express there devotion to God.

vs 2- this man was born lame from his birth. Which makes this miracle all the move marvelous. This wasn’t a psychosomatic crippling where theres a malfunction in the brain that prevents his limbs to not move.

But this from birth he was crippled.

That means it was indeed a hopeless situation

He was over 40 years old Act 4:22

Alms- food or money that was given to the poor.

This crippled man was smart!

The rabbis taught that there were three pillars of the Jewish faith the Torah, worship, and showing kindness or charity.

Almsgiving was one of the main ways to show kindness and was considered a major expressions of one’s devotion to God.

Imagine if someone waits outside of this church begging for money. Allot of us would give someone. Maybe because we don’t wait to be seen as not pious or not spiritual. They would pull on your heart strings.

I think about these mega churches in the inner city. And the kinds of people they attract. This multi million dollar facility in a area where people live in section 8 housing. But maybe out of pity they will give them something to eat. But no gospel. Maybe a motivational word. But please don’t step a foot in my house. But no sitting where they sit.

So the lame man was in front of the gate called Beautiful.

Josephus spoke of ten gates in the sanctuary. Nine, he said, were overlaid with silver and gold; but the tenth “was of Corinthian bronze and far exceeded in value those plated with silver and set in gold.” So massive was this gate that when it was closed each evening, it “could scarcely be moved by twenty men.”

So the lame man is outside of this very expensive gate begging for food and money.

Acts 3:3-4 “3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.””

Maybe people who walked by would flip a coin not really paying this lame man any attention.

Talk to your neighbor about how would you engage a homeless person if you don’t have any money.

You ever look at someone begging for change and you try not to look because either you don’t have it or don’t want to give it.

Have you are said like Peter look at us to a homeless man.

But Peter said “look at us” !

Act 3:6 “6 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.””

Peter probably glancing at this Beautiful Gate and seeing the silver and gold and the Corinthian bronze Gate the attraction of the temple . And said silver and gold I have not.

But I have something better then this in the name of Jesus walk.

Peter is teaching this man there somethings more precious then silver and gold.

More precious than gold.

The word of God

Psalm 119:72 NKJV

72 The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.

The fear of The Lord

Psalm 19:9–10 NKJV

9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Wisdom

Proverbs 3:15 NKJV

15 She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

Trials that produce the genuineness of you faith

1 Peter 1:6–7 NKJV

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Imagine not having the ability to walk someone having to carry you to the gate of the temple called Beautiful. The irony .