Daily Bread Acts 3
Daily Bread, Acts 3
Acts 3
Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar
Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.
4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.
Observation:
Apparently putting someone by the church when they are in need, isn’t a 21st century idea. Each day this man, who was lame from birth, had to beg for money to be able to survive. I guess they didn’t have many programs at that time to help someone in this kind of predicament. But today he was in for a big surprise. As John and Peter looked at him intently, they told him they had no money but they could pray for him in Jesus’ name.
And guess what happened? He was healed instantly by the prayer done in Jesus’ name. Notice there were no shenanigans, but only a simple prayer offered for this man in Jesus’ name. Also realize this was done at the temple around the church prayer time. Must have spiced up the prayer meeting, seeing this man healed on the spot with this simple prayer!
Notice the man’s response. Obviously he was excited beyond all joy, but he also praised God and went into the temple service with the disciples. No longer would he have to wait outside to beg. Made whole by the prayer in Jesus’ name, he could worship freely. The real prayer service began before the official service outside where they met this man in his need.
Application:
We see the apostles, in this case Peter and John, were not only powerful preachers, but also powerful pray-ers. As Peter preaches after this, the people have a new level of attention. But Peter uses the moment to teach them that this moment was to give glory to Jesus through this healing. Ultimately all healing on earth is to show God’s power and also give glory to Jesus, as we continue to rely on His name through which the power of God comes.
Of course all healing has powerful results for those being healed in the here and now, but ultimately it points to the greater and more eternal reality of the Kingdom of God. Jesus came and ushered in this kingdom and now He has gone back to be with His Father to await the final Coming of the Kingdom, when God restores all things. Until then, God sends his apostle’s into the world to continue to testify to His greatness and the power of His Son.
As we see those in need, whether they be at the doors of our church, or on the street asking for help, take the time to share God’s grace with them and pray for them in Jesus’ name. Of course money or a cup of coffee will help in the short term and be a sign of God’s love, but prayer, healing and salvation in Jesus’ will be a gift that will last forever!
Prayer: God help us to recognize the blind and the lame in our midst. Help us to reach out to those who can’t make it to worship you and bring them to our gathered communities. Give us boldness to pray for those who are sick in Jesus’ name where all healing comes from. And we will promise to give you all the glory! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Acts 3
Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar
Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.
4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.
Observation:
Apparently putting someone by the church when they are in need, isn’t a 21st century idea. Each day this man, who was lame from birth, had to beg for money to be able to survive. I guess they didn’t have many programs at that time to help someone in this kind of predicament. But today he was in for a big surprise. As John and Peter looked at him intently, they told him they had no money but they could pray for him in Jesus’ name.
And guess what happened? He was healed instantly by the prayer done in Jesus’ name. Notice there were no shenanigans, but only a simple prayer offered for this man in Jesus’ name. Also realize this was done at the temple around the church prayer time. Must have spiced up the prayer meeting, seeing this man healed on the spot with this simple prayer!
Notice the man’s response. Obviously he was excited beyond all joy, but he also praised God and went into the temple service with the disciples. No longer would he have to wait outside to beg. Made whole by the prayer in Jesus’ name, he could worship freely. The real prayer service began before the official service outside where they met this man in his need.
Application:
We see the apostles, in this case Peter and John, were not only powerful preachers, but also powerful pray-ers. As Peter preaches after this, the people have a new level of attention. But Peter uses the moment to teach them that this moment was to give glory to Jesus through this healing. Ultimately all healing on earth is to show God’s power and also give glory to Jesus, as we continue to rely on His name through which the power of God comes.
Of course all healing has powerful results for those being healed in the here and now, but ultimately it points to the greater and more eternal reality of the Kingdom of God. Jesus came and ushered in this kingdom and now He has gone back to be with His Father to await the final Coming of the Kingdom, when God restores all things. Until then, God sends his apostle’s into the world to continue to testify to His greatness and the power of His Son.
As we see those in need, whether they be at the doors of our church, or on the street asking for help, take the time to share God’s grace with them and pray for them in Jesus’ name. Of course money or a cup of coffee will help in the short term and be a sign of God’s love, but prayer, healing and salvation in Jesus’ will be a gift that will last forever!
Prayer: God help us to recognize the blind and the lame in our midst. Help us to reach out to those who can’t make it to worship you and bring them to our gathered communities. Give us boldness to pray for those who are sick in Jesus’ name where all healing comes from. And we will promise to give you all the glory! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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