The Healing Of The Lame Beggar (Part 2) Series

THE HEALING OF THE LAME BEGGAR

(Part 2)

Acts 3:1-10

In our study of Acts, we are currently examining the miraculous healing of a lame beggar. These verses tell of a man who was hoping to receive a small contribution of charity from Peter & John. They were not able to give him what he wanted, but they were able to provide him with something far greater than he could have ever imagined. Verse 1 describes:

A HEARTBREAKING SITUATION

This man had faced many difficulties throughout his life. His physical condition rendered him helpless in many ways. Because of his situation there were many things that he was unable to do, as a result he spent his days begging for help from others. On this specific day he encountered two of the Lord’s Apostles and they introduced him to the One who would completely transform him.

v1“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;

When the Apostles arrived at the Beautiful Gate they saw this crippled man being carried to a specific place near the gate so that he could ask for “alms”. This man was placed in the same location every single day, so much so that he was a fixture at the Temple gate and the worshippers knew exactly who he was.

- Luke describes a heartbreaking situation; then he goes on to describe:

A SIMPLE REQUEST

This man lived in poverty, he did not ask for or expect an extravagant gift, all he wanted was a little money so he could buy something to eat. Verse 3 says that when he saw “Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.” Rather than granting his simple request, the Apostles pointed him to the one who would change his life forever.

- This leads us to the fact that the lame man received:

A MIRACULOUS HEALING

Verse 4 says “fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us."

Thinking that he was about to receive a financial contribution, this man looked intently at Peter and John. - v5 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."

I would imagine this man was disappointed when he heard Peter say “silver and gold I do not have”; but his disappointment was replaced with elation when he heard the words “what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." In other words, Peter said “what you want I cannot provide, but I can give you something far greater than you ever imagined”. Peter lifted this man up and he began to walk. - v7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

It cannot be overstated that this man was lame since birth. He was not a paraplegic who lost the use of his legs at some point in his life; he had never had the ability or the strength to take a single step. When Peter helped him to his feet, those previously useless feet and ankle bones received strength. Peter couldn’t heal this man in his own power, but he did possess the ability to lift him up off of the ground. After this, God took over!

It is important to remember that Luke is the one describing the details of this miracle. Luke was a doctor; in Colossians 4:14 Paul refers to him as “the beloved physician”. This medical doctor goes into detail as to how God gave this man the ability to walk. He says that “his feet and ankle bones received strength”.

Instantly strength was given to the portions of the body that needed it. Blood supply was increased to the muscle. The brain sent signals to the nerve endings of the ankles and feet. The hardened fluid between the joints was softened, and the atrophied muscles and ligaments regained flexibility. The feet suddenly could bear the man’s weight. (Source: NKJV Study Bible, Full-Color; Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

What took place next can only be described as a miracle. - v8 “So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God.” Again, we must remember that this man had never taken a step in his life. This fact puts the significance of this miracle into its proper perspective. This miracle was not gradual, it was immediate. Unlike babies learning to walk, this man did not have to crawl first. He did not stumble or fall; as soon as his feet and ankle bones received strength: he began to walk, then leap and as a result of his excitement he praised God!