Scripture:
Acts 3:1-10 NKJV
[1] Now 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; [3] who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. [4] And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” [5] 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.” [7] And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. [8] So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. [9] And all the people saw him walking and praising God. [10] Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the team, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Observation:
I have written more than one SOAP on this group of scriptures, and I know I say this a lot, but I indeed love the scripture, and this is one of my favorites. So, let’s get started. Peter and John were both on their way to the temple for the time of prayer. You can almost see them walking behind a group of people who are all headed to the temple. I picture them walking side by side talking to one another, maybe discussing who in their community they needed to pray for… oh yeah, we can’t forget John Mark…and sister Mary wasn’t feeling well. They caught the eye of a man who had found the temple gate a great place to beg for change because he could not walk due to his feet being lame from birth. He would have his friends carry him there daily. His thoughts may have been something like… I don’t know what is different about these people who come to the temple, but I always seem to get enough money to eat when I beg here. I’m sure he had been sitting there day after day, year after year, doing the very same thing, just trying to get enough to eat. For that day, one more meal. One more day’s worth of bread. His hope had to be at its lowest. Seeing Peter and John coming from a distance and knowing that they were even more different than the rest of the people walking into the temple. He lowered his eyes and prepared his best question for them. Can you spear some alms for the poor? I know the bible doesn’t say this, but you could kind of picture how that conversation went… I have been lame from birth. My legs have never worked. I get carried here every day by my friends who just want to help but don’t really know how. I just need a little money so I can eat. I’m starving. All the while, being unable to look at them because of all the shame over his condition. Peter, being full of the Holy Spirit, saw, though what the lame man thought he needed to the shame over his condition and gave him instructions to look at him. You can almost see the man’s whole demeanor change. Wait, no one has ever asked me to do that. I am watching the shame wash away as he lifted his eyes to meet those of Peter and John. You can imagine that moment. Peter reached down for his hand, telling him what you think you needed wouldn’t help. In fact, it will just put you right back here tomorrow doing the very same thing you are doing right now, begging for money, to be honest. I don’t really have any money. But I have what you really need… and let me give it to you… in the name of Jesus Christ, rise and walk. Pulling the man to his feet out of faith that what he said would happen. The man’s feet became strong instantly, in shock, and I’m sure overwhelming joy the man started dancing and jumping and doing things he had never done all his life. Praising GOD for the transformation that everyone around him noticed. They had seen him at the gate for years, unable to walk. Knowing him as the lame beggar who sits by the beautiful gate. Now, seeing a life transformation that only happened because of an encounter with Jesus Christ.
Application:
I can’t tell you how much I relate to this story. Not because there was a time in my life that I couldn’t physically walk. But because I know the shame of addiction and homelessness. Sitting in front of stores begging for change, asking churches for food, hoping for something to eat so that I would not have to eat out of the trash can behind the restaurant I was sleeping next to. Thinking what I needed was one more bump or just a little food. All the while, what was needed in my life was an encounter with Jesus. Listen, I may not be the best writer, and I may not even know what I’m doing here. But I know that Jesus Christ has changed my life, and it’s all because someone saw fit to look through the shame that had covered me in addition and degradation. To be honest, I’m not sure why the Holy Spirit saw fit for me to write about this scripture yet again. Maybe you know maybe it’s speaking to you maybe you are in a spot where you know you need something in your life and you think it’s one thing but it’s something completely different. Maybe it’s something you thought you had, but as you look, you see that you need to focus on it better. I’m not sure. All I know is… I didn’t know that Jesus was what I needed until Jesus was all I had. If you are reading this and you feel like someone has had to carry you to the gate so you could get a little chance to eat. I’m going to ask you to look at me, grab my hand, and in the name of Jesus, let’s walk together. I don’t have anything that is not accessible to you, and if you need that moment… that encounter… that life-changing I can do this as long as I have Jesus. I would love to help. I know that most of those who read this. Already have a relationship with Jesus Christ, and I’m honestly not sure why, but I felt it necessary to put it out there this morning. If it has spoken to you, please respond so I know how to pray, and if you feel like it’s for someone else, please feel free to share it.
Prayer:
Father, this morning I have a request. I’m going to ask you to free the Holy Spirit to go to work in the hearts of those who have taken the time to read this. Knock the walls down around their hearts and allow them to see that they need you more than anything. Take this time, Father, and the liberty, you have to create an encounter for those who need it. Only you can bring us to salvation, and I’m asking that if there is someone here, someone reading this that has heard your voice this morning. Use it. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.