Acts 3
The story of Peter healing the beggar at the Beautiful Gate and subsequent message to the crowd is a wonderful story of hope and love. It demonstrates how God often works in the lives of people even today. Not necessarily in the way demonstrated at the beginning of chapter 3 but in unexpected ways just like the lame man…
I would like very much to know the man’s name because he is so inspiring. He experiences a wonderful miracle, quite unexpectedly, and celebrates by praising God in the temple. How many times had he heard about Jesus and the miracles he performed in the very temple where the lame man was placed. In fact, Jesus and the crowds must have passed by him many times. The disappointment he must have felt when news of Jesus’ death reached his ears. His hopes and dreams of walking must have been dashed. I can almost hear God telling him that it’s not quite his time for healing. Just wait a little while longer. It will come. Patience.
Then the unexpected happened. God, through Peter and John, answered his prayer and it was greater than anything he had hoped for. His legs were straightened and he jumped up and walked and danced and praised God. What a sight that must have been! The people around were absolutely astounded and in awe of this incredible event. It was then that Peter seized the opportunity to speak to the crowds that had gathered there.
His message was not of condemnation and judgment but of love and hope. Peter tells the crowd that this miracle wasn’t due to the apostle’s own abilities. In fact, Peter down plays the extraordinary event by saying that God did it to bring glory to Jesus, the Messiah. It was almost as if Peter was saying that this event was normal! To the apostles it was normal! They witnessed Jesus doing that very thing for the better part of three years. And now that the Holy Spirit had come the believers were the ones through whom God was performing miracles.
Peter consoles the crowd by telling them that he fully realizes that what was done to Jesus was out of ignorance. They could not see the master plan so how could they possibly know. Even the disciples did not comprehend what was happening and they heard Jesus talking about it. No, he lovingly explains how God used everything to accomplish His purpose. Peter explained that what was happening then was spoken of by Moses and the prophets and that the people of Israel were to be a blessing to all nations.
The effect of this healing and subsequent message brought the number of believers to about 5,000 men not counting the women and children as we will see in chapter 4. It turned to be a very extraordinary day for the unknown lame man. I’m sure I’ll meet him in eternity and when I do I’m going to ask him about that day.
Wait on God. He wants to do great things in your life!
