The Pilgrim Path---Acts 3: 1 – 10

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

WALKING and LEAPING and PRAISING GOD…

Peter and John go up to the temple for the standard time of prayer. The LORD had decided that this lame beggar (who needed help), would be the basis for a miraculous power display in the Name of Jesus. The poor man was daily situated at the Beautiful Gate by friends or family. The text indicates that the beggar expected to receive something from Peter and John (verse 5), but not quite--- what he received. The gift that was conveyed was worth far more than money. The healing that occurred was astounding---and the man was popularly and unmistakably known at the temple. He was chosen by the LORD to highlight the necessity of faith and repentance---and the Apostles’ unswerving allegiance to the resurrection of Jesus Our LORD. He was also chosen to demonstrate the amazing mercy of God to those in need.

Perhaps you have asked the LORD for physical healing? It may have not yet happened. The LORD has His reasons. We ascertain from the end of Second Corinthians chapter 12---that the LORD will leave “thorns in the flesh,”---to show His grace amid our physical weakness. He is the rock, His ways are perfect---just, and right is He. The LORD knows that I may need a chronic malady---to be made more persistent in seeking HIM. If you ever get worn down about it, it is simply grand to tell the Master: “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62: 8

From John Duncan: We are made up of wants---of wants as creatures, and deeper wants as sinners---but for all our wants there is in HIM all riches.

From Justin S. Holcomb: The first three chapters of Acts form a triad, focused on the Spirit and the empowerment for witnessing to the name of Jesus that the Spirit will bring. Chapter 1 showed the apostles waiting for the Spirit, chapter 2 marked the coming of the Spirit, and now chapter 3 shows the apostles being empowered with the Spirit (one being “filled” with the Holy Spirit, cf. 2: 4; 4: 8, 31). The power of God’s salvation not only creates generosity but also drives concern for the weak and afflicted, as seen in Peter and John’s interaction with this beggar. He is not just a statistic to them but a person. There is no wealth required to be a channel for God’s grace to transform this man’s body and heart. While Peter and Joh have no money, neither does the beggar; he has nothing whatsoever to offer in exchange for healing, but that is no hindrance to the grace of Christ, who extends his power of healing to one who has no right or ability to claim it.

From James Montgomery Boice: Can you visualize what must have happened at that moment? The man was expecting silver or gold. So, when Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have…” his eyes must have dropped, and he must have put his cup down. But Peter went on, adding, “But what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Notice first, that it was to Peter’s credit that he could utter both parts of that sentence. There is a story from the Renaissance period that I have come across in several different versions. It may or may not be true. In any case, the version I like best goes like this: ST. Thomas Aquinas was in Rome. He was walking along the street with a cardinal. The cardinal noticed a beggar. Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out a silver coin and gave it to him. Then he turned to Aquinas, the great doctor of the church, and said, “Well, Thomas, fortunately we can no longer say as Peter did, ‘Silver and gold have I none.’” St. Thomas replied, “Yes that is true. But neither can we say, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’”

In the case of the man healed by Peter there was no doubt at all. Everyone understood at once what had happened. A miracle had taken place by the same power that had been displayed in the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth and at Pentecost.

From Samuel Rutherford: Go where ye will, your soul shall not sleep sound but in Christ’s bosom.

HYMN

Jesus, the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease;

‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears, ‘tis life and health and peace.

He breaks the power of reigning sin, he sets the prisoner free;

His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood availed for me.

Hear him ye deaf; His praise , ye dumb, your loosened tongues employ;

Ye blind, behold your Savior come, and leap, ye lame, for joy.

Charles Wesley, 1739; alt.

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason