A lame man healed

Acts 3:1–10
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It was three o’clock in the afternoon and a prayer meeting was about to start in the temple (v. 1). A new faith had come to Peter and John, but they still followed the law of Moses. For them, the new faith and the old discipline could walk hand in hand. Peter and John were opposites in their temperament; however, they enjoyed fellowship because of their love for one another.

While on their way to the prayer meeting, they met a man who had been lame from birth. He was begging for something from them (v. 2). In the East it was the custom for beggars to sit at the entrance to a temple or a shrine. Perhaps Peter showed him his empty pockets, for he said to him, “Silver and Gold have I none.” Peter may have been poor; however, he was rich toward God, for he went on to say, “but such as I have give I thee; In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (vv. 3-7). When we have a “felt” need, we should not hesitate to ask God to provide. We should be aware, however, that God knows our “actual” needs as well as our “felt” needs. By His grace, he often chooses to withhold what we think we need in order to give us something better.

The man was healed instantaneously. He went “walking and leaping and praising God”. Notice he did not praise Peter for the miracle (v. 8). Everyone around him was astonished at what had happened (vv. 9-10). He was no longer limited to his fixed place at the gate but was now able to into the temple. And all the people saw him walking and praising God.

Application

Today we have seen there is power in the name of Jesus. After the lame man was healed, notice in Acts 3:8 what filled his heart. He trusted in the name of Jesus, and his heart was filled with praise.  I must not forget to thank people who help me, but most of all I should remember to praise God for His care and protection.