Acts 3

Acts 3 is the start of the Apostles' outward mission. It begins in Jerusalem. They obeyed Christ's command in Acts 1:8: "but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

This is the start of the mission in Jerusalem.

It is important to note that just because they became Christians, Peter and John still attended prayer times at the temple. They were going there at 3pm when this recorded incident happened.

They came upon this lame man who had been this way since birth. Every day his family would leave him at the gate called, "Beautiful". He would collect alms from temple attendees. It was a form of Social Security. You know that he would've been an expected fixture by the gate, and had been seen there for years. And here come Peter and John.

They were used to being together since they fished together and actually lived in the same town. They were probably schoolmates as well. The lame man caught their attention and they "fixed" their eyes on him. The lame man looked, hand extended, expecting a handout.

How many times have we walked by homeless people with their hands outstretched, looking for handouts? We avoid eye-contact. Sometimes we toss coins at them...but to linger, to look into the eyes, to speak...no way.

Peter said, "Look at us!"

The lame man's attention turns to Peter. Can you see him? He's sitting in the dust, arm outstretched, expecting some coin to fall.

Peter said, ""I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene--walk!" (Acts 3:6) And Peter grabbed his right hand and pulled him up. Can you see that burly fisherman yanking that man to his feet? Like hauling a fish into the boat, Peter catches his first "man".

He had witnessed Jesus heal in Mark 1:31, Luke 8:50-54 and Matthew 8:14-15. But Jesus would touch the hand...Peter added his own "touch" to the ministry. He is a boistrous, outgoing, strong guy...Not long ago he avoided being called a disciple of Jesus. Now he's diving headlong into the ministry and he's not holding back.

How often do we stick to our seat in the church and nod in agreement to what the pastor says? But when it comes time for application, do we shy away or do we jump in with both feet?

Note too that the lame man is totally passive. Peter doesn't ask him if he wants to be healed. He doesn't offer it to the man. He gives it to him without asking. So really...it wasn't the faith of the lame man that healed him but the faith of Peter and John that did it.

When his feet and ankles were healed, he lept and praised God. This is a sign that anyone who knew the Torah would've recognized: "Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy..." Isaiah 35:6a

Remember it was prayer time at the temple. There were a lot of people there. And they saw this man walking around, probably at Solomon's court, praising God. And they recognized him as the lame man who used to lay at the gate called "Beautiful". And I can hear the verse from Romans: "How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"

The man clung to Peter and John. Did he worry that the healing would fade if they left? Or was he just so thankful for them taking the time to heal him?

Then Peter gives glory to God.

How humble are we when God acts in our life? Is our faith strong enough to yank someone into a new life? What comes out of our mouths, blessings or curses?

Remember too what Paul said in Romans 1:16, 2:10. That salvation was to come to the Jews first.

Peter preaches and lets them know that the Jesus they crucified was responsible for this miracle. He preached the Gospel and quoted scripture. He didn't condemn them, he offered them repentance and forgiveness.

Why do we forget about how refreshing repentance and confession can be? We sit in our pity party, hoping for someone to hand us some coins of encouragement when really it's time to get right with God. Time to confess and repent!

This week I challenge you to do two things:

1. Get on your knees in prayer and do some serious business of confessing to God.
2. And then when you talk to someone, take the time to look long enough into their eyes. Look deep enough to see what color their eyes are. You will be amazed at the connection you make.