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."
Peter and John encountered this lame man who was at this gate of the Temple, and readily recognized not just by the people, but by the religious leaders, who was likely laid at this gate all through the ministry of Jesus, the Messiah – and yet for all that time, he remained lame (he was actually “lame from birth” (can you imagine that??), as broken as this world that we live in.
This isn’t what GOD intended – people with blindness, deafness, being crippled, ridden with disease, burdened with suffering. This is what the curse of sin through Adam brought to us, and we’ve lived under this curse for the length of human history in order to teach us an indelible truth: sin is as destructive as it is evil! And no morality, code of ethics, self-help program, philosophy or religion can cure it!
All this man could hope for was merciful alms given to him by the people as they made their way into the Temple. Perhaps he hoped for an encounter with the Messiah while He was in the midst of His people – but He was crucified and died, buried – along with any hope this man might have had to receive his healing.
Then these two followers of Y’shua came by, and Peter called for the man’s attention, who expected something from him in the way of alms, nothing more, but perhaps something less (?) – perhaps nothing more than just a “I’ll pray for you”?
His expectation was no higher than the mundane – a couple coins to provide for his daily bread. He was resigned to his forlorn fate. This was to be his life, for the rest of his life: a cripple, a beggar.
“Silver and gold I do not have,” said Peter.
Then why are you bothering me? The beggar might have thought. If you’re not going to help me, move along, and let those willing to do so the opportunity!
But the man’s world was about to be rocked – by the Rock of his salvation!
Peter declared with bold faith: “what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
He received his healing – in GOD’s time! This man could have been set to rest at any of the various gates of the Temple; there were many! But it was at this gate called “Beautiful” that he resorted to in order to beg. And it was there that he was healed! “He has made everything beautiful in His time.” (ECCL 3:11a).
We often limit what GOD wants to do with our lame prayers. All this man asked for was for a piece of silver or gold, but what he got was a new life: healed of his lameness, able to work and provide for himself, to enjoy life and fellowship with others as never before! No doubt the blessings didn’t stop there! After Peter healed him in the Name of Jesus, he was all ears to listen to and obey the Gospel!
Is there an area in your life that’s crippled? Some facet of your heart or mind that’s lame? And you’re resorting to the only remedies you know? Seek the LORD and wait upon Him – He wants to do something “Beautiful” in His time. Wait, watch and pray!
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