"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; ...they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18)
In a previous study, we learned about God sending His Holy Spirit to the disciples and empowering them to speak in tongues, and the purpose of that was to spread the gospel throughout the world, to people of all nations and languages. (see ACTS: Tongues and Its Purpose, Spreading the Gospel and the Church ) Now, the disciples would have another manifestation of the Holy Spirit, the ability to heal. Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 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; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. (Acts 3:1-5)
He gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Everyone in the world is seeking something - truth, knowledge, relationship, wealth, possessions, etc. It is so important that when we have the opportunity to share with people, we clearly, boldly, and accurately share the Truth, the Word of God. This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:5-9)
This is the message that Peter shared with this lame man, who had been laid daily at the gate of the temple. 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.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. (Acts 3:6-10)
This lame man asked for alms from those who entered the temple daily. Most people think that same way today, "If I can get enough money...", "If I can get enough things...". All the silver and gold in the world can't solve our real problem. Our real problem isn't physical, it's spiritual. Yes, the disciples performed a physical miracle, but only to teach a spiritual truth. This man was lame from his mother’s womb. No doctor, money, or even laying at the gate of the temple was able to change his condition. The only person who could help him was Jesus Christ!
None of us deserve for God to do anything for us, but through faith in Christ Jesus, Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrew 4:6) But let's be mindful, just like this healed lame man, who entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God, let's not withhold from God the praise He deserves. Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:1-5)
For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them. Bless the Lord, O my soul! (Psalm 103:11-14, 17-18, 22) AMEN!
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