The book of Acts records some of the events surrounding Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. These acts resulted in a worldwide movement called the church. The movement is still going forth today. There were many miracles performed during Jesus’ earthly ministry and after He ascended. Jesus told his disciples before He left, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” As believers in Christ, we have the same power in us and are His witnesses. The Holy Spirit is at work in our lives and some of us may never get to the places Jesus has walked but wherever we go we are His witnesses in the earth. How is your witness today? I want to take a look at the story found in Acts 3:1-10.
The apostles indicated immediately to this man that they did not represent themselves and what they were about to do they represented, Jesus Christ. Their authority was in the name of Jesus Christ. It is because of his name the lame man was healed. A person’s name represents that person’s authority and influence. When someone here’s your name what does it represent? There is power in the name of Jesus. The people knew that the Apostles housed the power of God. He was a beggar but now the people see a healed man who has received a miracle from God. Peter and John did not lay their hands on the beggar and pray for God to heal him. As apostles with the power of God, they knew their assignment. They were going about performing signs and wonders. They simply told him to rise up! They spoke with the authority in the name of Jesus. We have the same power in us! Luke was a physician by profession and he describes what took place. The doctor describes an instant healing.
They were watching a miracle right before their eyes. Strength is given to his muscles, his bones, and feet. This healing was done through the power of the Holy Spirit and not their own power.
He could instantly hold his weight. Instantly strength was given to the portions of the body that needed it, the blood supply was increased to the muscle, the brain sent signals to the nerve endings of the ankles and feet, and the hardened fluid between the joints was softened. The muscles and ligaments regained flexibility, and his feet suddenly were able to move. The people marveled at the miracle. There wasn’t anything magical being done or formula being used to get some affirmation or guaranteed prayer. His healing was not a staged event. The only reasonable explanation was that God had healed the lame there right on the spot.
When Peter told the man to rise up, they assisted him in getting up. Sometimes we need the assistance of others to rise up above our situations. Don’t stay on that island all alone with me, myself, I, and the devil. Open up your mouth and get the help that you need. Otherwise, you will remain in that lame place, that fixed place, with a set mindset. I don’t need anyone, I don’t need any help, I can do this on my own. In this man’s case, all pride went out of the window. I am sure there were some church folks wondering why he was always at the gate, why don’t they move him, He is making the beautiful gate look terrible, they talked about him, ridiculed him, or were disgusted by the fact that he was at this beautiful gate. The beautiful thing about this gate is that it was open to all nationalities. Now that a miracle happened there it was a beautiful sight to see. There are times in our lives when we need a miracle and we remove ourselves out of the way. All shame and guilt go out of the window. Never mind about what others have to say or think about us. I need a miracle and I am expecting a miracle. There was something about this man.
1) He was lame, he had a condition from birth. What a way to live, to be carried everywhere you had to go. Being dependent on someone else to get you from point A to point B. He had some faithful family and friends to get him there. He was persistent, as a man, he was going to do what he had to do to make a living, he wanted to contribute to his needs. Yes, the doctors told him he would never walk. I am sure family and friends echoed the same thing. He kept going to the temple regardless. He must have been waiting for an opportunity to walk.
2) He was a fixture at the gate and he was there every day. He was disabled but he was also settled in what he made up his mind and had to do daily, he was dependable, and I am sure if someone had given him a job he would have been there. He was reliable, it was inevitable and indisputable that he was going to be there, and he had a made-up mind to beg every day to get what he needed. Some people make a living out of begging. I am sure he was shunned, talked about, and ignored but this certain man was going to be at the gate daily to get some money. Maybe he privately desired something else. We don’t know if he had a dream about walking, if a prophet spoke a word to him, God may have given him a vision or he just had this desire to walk that he never spoke of.
3) He was a strong man. His upper strength was intact. Having to lift his body to move around. His arms, his shoulders, and his core were strong due to having to lift himself to move about at times. I wonder if he ever missed a day due to being sick or when he was home that he would just sit there and wait for others to serve him. No! Not this man. I can imagine even if he was sick, he went to the temple. When he was home, I am sure he did some things for himself. I can sense the frustration of not being able to move about as everyone else.
Peter and John were going to the temple for the afternoon prayer service. By way of the beautiful gate. It was one of the favorite entrances and many people passed through it on their way to worship giving money to beggars. This was considered praiseworthy in the Jewish religion. So the beggar wisely placed himself where he would be seen by the people who were on their way to worship at the temple. When Peter said look at me! I am sure that got his attention. No one else ever said look at me. Either they gave him money or they ignored him. Look at me! This man’s faith was stirred when he heard those words. They spoke with authority and got his attention. Peter gave him something much better than money. He received the use of his legs. We often ask God to solve our problems; what He wants is to give us a whole new life. God wants to see our faith in action.
God is saying I have more for you than you can ever imagine, help with all your problems. He may say I’ve got something even better for you. You may ask God for what you want but don’t be surprised when he gives you what you need. Look at us, got his attention. This was different this time. It was the authority in which they spoke.
I wonder why no one ever took him inside of the temple. I wonder did anyone ever pray for him or just walked by him. He’s just a beggar. God met him right where he was; at the gate. At the gate there was an opportunity for a miracle.
I am sure we have all of seen a man on the side of the road with his sign, asking for money to buy food. Each vehicle that goes by is a possibility of receiving something. This man wanted the disciples to agree with his condition. They said, oh no I am not going to agree with you today. I don’t have any money for you but what I do have I give to you and that is Jesus Christ, now rise up. I am not going to agree with your foolishness, your wrong, your stinking thinking not when we have been given the power to rise up. He rose above his condition. What’s your excuse? Hasn’t enough time gone by for you to not rise to the occasion? Rise up and stop making excuses.
4) He heard the call to rise up! In his excitement, the formally lame man began to jump and walk around and he praised God. When this lame man heard the words, rise up! He got up! Somewhere deep in his mind and heart, I am sure he imagined what his life would be like if he could walk. I hear others complaining about how tired they are from walking or their feet hurting. He imagined walking and he didn’t lose sight of that desire. When he heard the authority in which the words were spoken to him, he rose up. This was his long-awaited opportunity to rise up and walk. He didn’t just walk, he leaped, jumped, and praised God for his miracle. He didn’t think about it, doubt it, or fear it. He got up! Peter and John reached for his hands and helped him to rise. I don’t want to remain stuck in this condition. This is my chance to get up.
