Peter heals the lame man

Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 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; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." So he gave them the attention, expecting to receive something from them. 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." Acts 3 v. 1 - 6.

Peter was on his way to the temple when he met the lame man begging. This lame man would of been a regular sight for all those going to worship God. Maybe they would feel pity and give to the lame man. Maybe those who worshipped at the temple would like others to see that they gave to the lame man.

The lame man, himself, would know his place, what was expected of him. How his friends would take him to the temple each day. He would probably sit in the same place. Everyone would know the lame man, where he sat, his begging for money.

This day was a special day for the lame man for when Peter and John came to the temple they looked him in the eye and in the name of Jesus of Nazareth they gave him far more than Gold or Silver.

Let us look at what was given to the lame man.

Ability to walk. Ability to live an independent life. Ability to work for himself. Yet above, all this, and the most important gift was the ability to walk right into the temple of God. Now he could worship, pray and thank God for his life.

What about us, do we take for granted what Christ has done for us. Jesus paid the price that we might go to heaven. To think the creator and sustainer of the Universe. The infinite Holy God cared enough for me and you that he should send his Son to die on the cross for our sins.

Let us praise our Lord and King.

I'll praise my Maker while I've breathe;

And when my voice is lost in death,

Praise shall employ my nobler powers:

My days of praise shall ne'er be past,

While life, and thought, and being last,

or immortality endures.

Isaac Watts