“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”
So, the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.” – Acts 3:1-8
The Spirit empowers
While reading through these verses in the scripture, a question came into my mind: How long have Peter and John been ignoring or have not been noticing the lame man sitting at the gate of the temple? Certainly, they go to the temple to pray on daily basis. In the same chapter, we learn that everyone knew the lame man very well. The people knew he was the man who has always been at the gate Beautiful. Has the lame man not always been begging and expecting to receive something? Then, what was the trigger for Peter and John paying attention to the man?
Firstly, to answer why Peter and John have not been noticing the man at the gate, it is advisable to give a little context. We have to know that before Peter and John went to the temple to pray, they have just been baptised with the Holy Ghost. Prior to Jesus’ ascension, He promised His disciples that He shall send His Spirit to come upon them and His Spirit shall empower them and guide them in all truth. Jesus also told them “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go unto my Father” (cf. John 14:12).
Secondly, when the Holy Ghost had finally come on the day of Pentecost, he empowered the apostles. Therefore, the appostles believed. Finally, the one special gift, who Jesus had promised them, had come. They were empowered with unknown tongues, the gift to heal, to prophesy and to perform miracles, signs and wonders (cf. Acts 2:11, 18).
Walking in power
Now, imagine, with the same power, they walked to the temple and they knew they have been transformed and were no longer the old Peter and John who had been mourning the death of their saviour. They were certain that there was no reason to mourn anymore because Jesus not only dwelt with them, but He now dwelt in them. They were thus harbouring the Spirit of Christ. This is the revelation given. In their hope, they could do the same work through Jesus’ Spirit. They could even perform greater works because, on the one hand, Christ dwelt within them and on the other hand, Christ now sat at the right hand of God, advocating for them. I try to imagine the joy and fire they were filled with.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is darkness cannot resist
Where the Spirit of the Lord is darkness cannot exist nor even resist. This is the reason I believe Peter and John noticed the lame man at the gate Beautiful. The Spirit in them could not bear the captivity in which the man found himself. Peter and John receiving these insights, they could not hide the gift of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, they were not having money for alms. However, they were convinced they possessed something greater than money. Both apostles knew the Spirit was far greater than gold and silver. Having the Spirit meant to them guarantying people’s access to salvation.
With this certitude, Peter spoke to the lame man. He commanded him to stand up and walk again in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Immediately, the lame man was quickened. He was able to walk again. He was able to walk into the temple, which I have come to understand as salvation. Jesus is the temple, but because Peter and John had not been able to identify that the lame man needed more than just money, the lame man could not walk into the temple before. He could not walk to Jesus. Now, the Spirit empowered him through Peter and John.
Speak life to your lame friend
Sometimes, we have friends around us who are going through hard times, through similar situations as the lame man. They may be suffering from severe pain, addiction, living in broken homes or they may have lost hope in life. They are sitting at the gate Beautiful which leads to the temple; however, they cannot enter the temple. They do not know how. Their situations have lamed them. They only see alms as the only solution, meanwhile, you are having Christ in you can just speak a word of salvation to them. They may not want your money nor your pity. But they are just looking for that which you possess. They want the gift you have obtained through Christ. The gift of salvation.
Let us speak life to that friend who has lost hope in life. Speak life to the lame man.
Listen to this song by TobyMac, as you pray for the lame people in your life. I believe God has not placed them there without a reason.
So speak life, speak life
To the deadest darkest night
When the sun won’t shine and you don’t know why
Look into the eyes of the broken hearted
Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope
You speak love,
You speak life, oh oh oh oh oh
Lift your head a little higher
Spread the love like fire
Hope will fall like rain
When you speak life with the words you say
Raise your thoughts a little higher
Use your words to inspire
Joy will fall like rain when you speak life with the things you say
Lift your head a little higher
Spread the love like fire
Hope will fall like rain
When you speak life with the words you say
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