The lame walk

Intro

Isaiah 35:5–6 ESV

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;

In today’s passage, we will see God fulfilling His promise to His people. God’s plan of redemption was set in motion before the foundation’s of the world, and as we see in Acts, continues to be worked out by God through His people to serve His purpose.

Acts 3:1 “1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.”

As we saw last week, the followers of Jesus continue to go to the Temple daily. On this occassion, Peter and John are ascending the steps to the Temple at the hour of prayer. The ninth hour is likely three in the afternoon, and this time of prayer would be right after the evening sacrifice in the Temple. Many of the inhabitants of Jerusalem would be gathered at the Temple at this hour.

Acts 3:2 “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.”

A man who has been lame from birth is taken daily to the Temple Gate to ask for alms. His condition is quite hopeless as he has been this way from birth. No remedies have been found for his handicap. As other people with handicaps, he relies on the generosity of others to survive, and so he is taken to the Beautiful Gate of the temple to ask for alms. Being near the Temple is strategic because people are more likely to give generously when they are going to worship and pray. Although we do not know exactly which Gate is the Beautiful Gate, it is likely on the east side of the temple either separating the court of women from the court of men. This lame man would not be allowed to enter the court of men because of his handicap, but he could watch the sacrifices from this vantage point.

Disciples of Jesus engage people personally

Acts 3:3–5 “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.”

As Peter and John are about to pass by this man sitting outside the Temple, he asks them for a gift of charity. It is important to note that this all takes place outside of the Temple, showing that God’s work is not tied to the Temple. Now, in this moment, Peter and John could have ignored this man as he was sitting outside the Temple and most people were inside. They, however, become personally involved with this man. They look right at him and engage him as person of value. It is easy for us to walk past those who are lowly, to act as if we didn’t see them, but we see the disciples engage this man personally. They could have seen him as an inconvenience or a hindrance from accomplishing their purpose of entering the Temple, but they take the opportunity to love a man who has been an outsider since birth.

In turn, the man looks at them expectantly. At this point in his life, he believes that his greatest need is that of money and physical provision because he cannot work. He does not know that he has a need that is much greater than this and cannot be paid for or earned by money or labor.

People’s greatest need is salvation

Acts 3:6–8 “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.”

Peter discerns that this man needs something greater than money. This man needs Jesus Christ, and so Peter gives him Jesus by pulling him up in His name. This is not a magical incantation by saying in the name of Jesus rise and walk. Peter is testifying that it is Jesus of Nazareth who is performing the healing. Peter is not the one healing, it is Jesus Christ who heals this man. This man lame from birth is encountering Jesus. By saying Jesus of Nazareth, Peter is testifying that this is the Jesus that many of them knew as a great teacher, who was later crucified. This Jesus is now alive and at the right hand of God and is continuing to work. Peter gives this man the superior gift of Jesus.

The healing takes place immediately, at once. Jesus does not delay in healing this man, but takes action promptly. Luke notes that the mans ankles and feet were made strong. A personal touch of a medical doctor.

The man leaps up from the ground, standing on his own two feet for the very first time in his life. He wastes no time and begins to walk and leap into the Temple as he lifts his voice praising God who healed him. This is the only use of the Greek word for leap in all of the New Testament, and it is only used in the Greek Septuagint in Isaiah 35. This healing takes place to continue to fulfill God’s plan that He testified of before hand. This healing, this sign is also used to verify the message of the disciples. Not only are they preaching with authority from on high, God is performing signs and wonders through them to show to the people of Israel that they are His approved messengers. Though some will try to explain away their teaching and silence them, it cannot be denied that a man who has been lame since birth is walking. God is giving more evidence that That Jesus is the Christ and that the message being preached is from Him. This man was separated from God his whole life because of sin, just as he was not able to enter the temple because of his malady. Now, because of the power of Jesus Christ, He can receive forgiveness of sins and he can walk into the Temple.

The work of the Spirit is to glorify God

Acts 3:9–10 “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.”

Though this event took place outside of the Temple, those who were gathering for the time of prayer are now seeing the lame man leaping through the Temple. The time of the Temple is waning as Jesus has brought in the age of the Spirit. There is no longer a need for sacrifices as Jesus has offered up Himself. It seems that this man is well known amongst those at the Temple since he is there daily and likely so are they. When they see this man leaping through the temple they are filled with amazement. At this point, it is unlikely that they have not heard of the disciples of Jesus preaching. But now they are seeing a miracle performed before their eyes. Just as God prophesied through the Prophet Isaiah, a lame man is leaping like a deer. The kingdom of God is near. This miracle is used by God to draw people to Himself.

So what?

What does all this mean for us? The disciples were following a routine, doing what was customary for all Jews. As they were going they were presented with an opportunity to minister to one man. This is an important note, it is not about numbers, it is about being faithful ministers of Jesus Christ. God’s concern is not about numbers, it is about people. No opportunity, no matter how small we may perceive it to be, is insignificant. So when someone comes up to you in the grocery store, its not an inconvenience, it is an opportunity to minister to this persons need, specifically for Jesus. When you are at school and this kid who you might find annoying keeps coming to you, don’t see it as an inconvenience, see it as an opportunity. When one of your coworkers is struggling, be there to help. Each one of us has a different life. Each of us has been given different gifts and opportunities. Each of us has been given the same calling to be a disciple making disciple of Jesus. Peter and John were going up to the Temple like every Jew did at this time, and as they were going they had an opportunity. We each need to be praynig for and looking for opportunitis to share Jesus Christ with those around us. God is calling us to be faithful. I’m not sure about you, but I haven’t had the Lord miraculously heal anyone through me. But that doesn’t mean that I can’t share Jesus with others. The gospel of Jesus Christ offers hope for people in every situation. While the gospel does not always change our immediate physical circumstances like it did for the lame man, it offers hope for eternity as we are united with a loving Father who is going to make us whole one day. He is going to take away our pain, whether it be physical, emotional, or otherwise. The gospel offers us a hope for today as well. Because we know that there is hope for eternity, we can live differently now. Though we suffer, we know that one day it will be made right. Though we suffer, God is using it for good. Many times we may not fully understand the circumstances of our lives and wish for God to totally change them or take it away like He did for the lame man, but He has a purpose in all things that happen. He uses our sufferings to increase our faith and to help us to minister to others who may also be suffering. We see in Jesus Christ that not even He was free from suffering, in fact, he suffered not only physical and emotional torment, but he suffered the very wrath of God. And God used the suffering of Christ for good. God planned for Christ to suffer so that good would come from it. Now, this is not to say that God is the cause of our suffering, He is not. Our sin, the sin of others, and the effects of sin in the world cause our suffering. But God has allowed it so that we might grow to become like Christ. God allowed this man to be lame from birth so that one day He could be healed and through that many would believe in Jesus. If you are suffering now, look to Jesus. Ask Him how you might be able to glorify Him in this hard time. Look to His Word, what does He call you to do, and respond in faithful obedience. God is near us. God is working. We are a part of His plan, may we see our lives from His perspective and not get lost in the mud. A few weeks ago when I had to go to the hospital by ambulance, the