The Lame Man
Bob Yandian
The whole purpose of the miracles, healings, signs, and wonders is for people to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The operation of spiritual gifts is not intended to draw attention to individuals, rather to cause unbelievers to repent and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Sometime after the day of Pentecost, Peter and John headed to the temple. A lame man asked them for money. This man is well-known because he has asked for alms at the temple gate for many years. This day, however, would be different. Although Peter and John have no money to offer the lame man, Peter, operating in the working of miracles, offers him the healing power of Jesus Christ. When bystanders in the temple see the man walking, they give glory to God and stand amazed at his healing.
The Habit of Attending Church
"Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour." Acts 3:1
Going to the temple to pray is something Peter and John did daily. They have developed the habit of attending church. The day this miracle occurs is probably not the first day Peter and John have seen the lame man at the gate, but this will be a day of divine appointment for the lame man. He will have the faith to be healed, and the crowd is large enough to be affected by the miracle.
The Lame Man's Daily Routine
"An 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." Acts 3:2
Being laid at the temple gate has been the lame man's daily routine for many years. He is placed at the opening of the temple at the main gate, and all who enter the temple pass by him. If Peter and John had not seen the lame man on this particular day, he would have been seen on many days preceding it.
This man and his condition are well known outside of the temple. Religion has not helped him, but the power of Jesus stands in opposition to religion on this day even as it had during His earthly ministry.
As the man sits at the gate, many pass him on their way into the temple, especially at the hour of prayer when the gate gets very busy. As people pass, the man asks for a small portion of the money they are going to offer in the temple. Their alms are what keeps him alive.
Outward problems, like this man's dependency on alms, always have a root cause, and this man does not fully realize that cause. It is not his lack of money, but his lameness. His financial situation is a result of his problem, not the problem itself. This man asks to be rid of the symptoms but Peter and John are going to minister to the root of his problem.
"And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." Acts 3:4
While John and Peter are standing there, the lame man is probably looking beyond Peter and John and trying to catch the attention of others. The man has given them a glance after catching their attention and expects to receive money, but at the same time continues speaking to others. Peter now asks the man to put his full attention on them. Faith always demands our full attention!
"So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them." Acts 3:5
The lame man's faith is in operation, even if it was for money. Peter uses his attention and simply diverts it toward the Lord; the lame man expects to receive.
Peter does not speak until he has the lame man's attention.
"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 3:6
Peter has no money to offer since he gave it all into the common treasury, but Peter has more than money. He carries the healing authority of Jesus. Peter speaks to the man in the name of the humanity of Jesus Christ. He also commands the man to do what he normally cannot do.
Throughout the Word, healing commands are to be acted upon. Men are commanded to stretch out a withered hand or pick up a bed and walk. Faith demands simple action. Faith acts on the Word it has received, not on the manifestation.
A Miracle Performed
"And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength." Acts 3:7
This is an operation of the working of miracles. It is a result of peter being Spirit-filled. The writer, Luke, being a physician, naturally describes the internal results of God's power being manifested in this man's body.
"So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them walking, leaping, and praising God." Acts 3:8
Since the man is healed, he is led to the church and willingly follows. The excitement of being healed causes the man to follow Peter and John into the temple. By the time the man enters the church, he has received Jesus as Lord and is on the path toward maturity and becoming a disciple of the Lord. the best time to take a person to church is immediately after they receive the Lord.
"And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him." Acts 3:9-10
Because this man is so well known, the miracle in his body is producing an attitude of wonder in the people. This is the purpose of miracles and wonders: to bring attention to the Lord and open hearts to the new birth. This is the time to preach the gospel.
