The Grinning Leaper

Heather Timmons

Central Truth

Are you hurting? Hungry? Helpless? Take heart. Your Father in heaven has restoration in store for all who look to Him.

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!"

The Lame Beggar Healed

1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.^{1

3:1
That is, 3 p.m.} 2 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. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 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!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 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.

Footnotes

[1] 3:1 That is, 3 p.m.

Did you awaken today with a sense of need?

We read the lame man was "being carried," powerless in his own life. Have you been there, feeling victimized by disease, disappointment, heartache, or circumstances beyond your control?

Like him, our palms may be outstretched, feebly wishing for what will get us through the day: a meager bit of acceptance, security, stability, comfort, relief. Just spare pocket change.

Like him, we may be lying outside the temple gate, our fellowship broken. Passivity in our relationship with God leads to a languishing soul.

But our compassionate Father doesn't wait for us to earn His intervention or prove our devotion. He reaches out to us!

Watch what happens when Peter and John encounter this man:

Peter looks at him, acknowledging his humanity.

Peter speaks to him, affording him dignity.

Peter instructs him, inviting him to participate in this process.

Then, radically exceeding the man's expectations, Peter touches him—

And, glorious moment, Peter raises him up to complete restoration. All glory to God!

Remarkable.

With utmost gratitude, I profess that this mirrors my own experience. From brokenness and apathy, I was abruptly raised up and made strong. Inexplicably, my knees were made stronger and in a few short months I went from using a cane around my little home to running (breathlessly!). But the real gift, the real miracle, is what happened in my heart. His Word revived me and brought strength to my faith. His promises became sturdy bones on which to stand.

Did you notice the first thing this man did with his newfound mobility? He stood up and walked into the temple to worship the God who raised him up. The temple outside of which he had for so long lain, he now walked into with praise, inspiring praise in others as he went.

Today, I walk and leap and praise God. I still have pain, so the leaping is mainly metaphorical, but the praise is real! God is good and abundantly merciful.

Join me in praising Him today, so that those around us may watch in amazement at what God does.

1. If you were seated outside the temple, palms extended, asking for alms, what is the "gold" that you would be yearning for? What is your expectation? What greater thing might God have in store for you instead?

2. If you were to "walk and leap" in front of others today (Acts 3:8), what would your song of praise include?

3. "All the people" recognized the man from the Beautiful Gate, and they saw how he had been changed (Acts 3:9-10). Do those in your life have cause to marvel at what God has done in you? How might you share your story this week?

4. As the Body of Christ, we, like Peter, are entrusted with "something greater than gold" to give others in the name of Jesus Christ. Who is in your life today that you could reach out to, perhaps someone that many others pass by? Will you take time to stop and respond to that opportunity, as Peter and John did?