February 02, 2023 | Be On Mission
Peter Heals the Crippled Beggar
Scripture: Acts 3:1-10 (NIV)
1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Devotional
We now return to the Peter’s activity in the book of Acts. Today’s reading took place some thirty-five years before he penned the two letters we just read. But those epistles gave us insight into the kind of person he was and what he thought was important.
Back here in Acts 3, it is only a few months after Jesus had been crucified. The new Christian church was just taking shape, and was still centered in Jerusalem. There, at the temple, Peter and John were going for prayer in the middle of the afternoon. The disciples saw themselves as Jews who believed that the Messiah had come in the person of Jesus. Going to the Jewish temple in Jerusalem and joining in the prayers was a natural expression of their faith. They had no trouble interacting in worship with the Pharisees, Sadducees, and other Jewish people.
But their faith as Messianic Jews was put on full display when they met a crippled beggar at the temple gate. When they prayed for the man, they didn’t simply do so in God’s name. Indeed, Peter boldly proclaimed, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” This action had three consequences:
First, the crippled man started jumping around and praising God. Second, the people were amazed, thinking Peter and John had some kind of super power. And third, the religious leaders were upset and tried to silence the two disciples. We will look at the last two responses in the next few readings.
But for now, consider the courageous action of Peter and John, ministering publicly in Jesus’ name on the home turf of the religious establishment. They didn’t seem concerned about the repercussions that could come their way for reaching out in the name of Jesus Christ. They simply saw a man in need.
What would it look like for you to minister to the needs of others in Jesus’ name, without worrying about what others might say or do to you? Right now, think about somebody you know who has a physical, intellectual, emotional, relational, or spiritual need. Pause and name that person to Jesus. Now ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you. How are you being challenged to minister to that person? What do they need that you could provide? Will you do it?
Poem
A Hymn for the Ninth Hour of Prayer – (Can be sung to “This is My Father’s World)
Acts 3: 1
Christ, call me come to You,
Like prophet true of old
Confronting life's idolatry
Courageously and bold.
Elijah solo stood
Called Heaven’s glory down,
Refiner’s fiery crucible
Upon Mount Carmel’s mound.
1 Kings 18:29-36
Christ, call me come to You,
When in a foreign place
Though exiled, may I constant be;
Lord, help me seek your face.
Like Daniel, keep me pure
When all around is vile
Send angels to attend my needs
When in my time of trial.
Daniel 9:20-21
Christ, call me come to You,
In darkest hours of life
When I, exhausted from my cross,
Need strength to bear the strife.
Like you, in ninth hour prayer,
Pour out to You my pain
Commit my spirit to Your hands
Your power to hold, sustain.
Luke 23: 44-46
Christ, call me come to You,
Each Sabbath day of rest
With others, seeking comfort, cure,
May I your grace attest.
As Peter, John, of old
With naught but You to claim
May I Your healing vessel be
As I speak forth Your name.
Acts 3: 1-10
Christ, call me come to You,
Enlightenment to seek
Pour out your Spirit in my dreams
New visions, calls, do speak.
May I, Cornelius be
New ways Your will convey
As I respond unto your voice
New life in me display.
Acts 10: 1-8
Christ, call me unto You,
When finished be my days
With childlike trust, enter Your rest
'Til You my body raise.
Then we meet face to face
Life’s battles ne’er and o’er
I’ll join the everlasting throng
With You forevermore.
Revelation 21: 6
