And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple.
Acts 3:2 (NASB)
There was a certain lame man that lived looking down since birth…he saw the dirty, smelly feet of others and the dusty, rocky paths they were privileged to walk. He was used to relying on his friends and family to be carried. He didn’t know any other way. If he was lucky, he was transported on their back and had the same advantageous view. Otherwise, his perspective rarely changed. His eyes often lifted in shame as he begged for money and food. He spent his life living low to the ground.
How many of us spend our lives living doing the same? We live like we are still being held in captivity… and we repeatedly return to “Egypt.” Wearing the labels others put on us, and the ones we give ourselves, we forget our freedom. We stand on the outside, fearful to enter into community. Hesitant to speak up, shame silences our voice. Jesus paid the price for our sins that set us apart. His death on the cross made a way for us to live differently! He wants to change our perspective and offers us His gift of eternal security.
The lame man was brought to the gates of Beautiful every day. Sitting on the outside of the temple, he felt different and unworthy to enter. He had no expectation of what the power of Jesus’ name could do for him. Having given up hope, he didn’t long for what others had anymore. Accepting his lot in life, he believed his voice didn’t matter. He sat and waited; searching for those he could beg from. Knowing his place, he went there every day, and received the same. Nothing ever changed!
Until the day Peter and John fixed their gaze on him and said, “Look at us!” They got his attention and he looked up, expecting to receive a few alms. Instead, he received something far greater as Peter, in the name of Jesus Christ, told him to walk. Peter reached out his hand and helped him to stand. Immediately his ankles and feet were strengthened. The lame man stood upright, bounded through the temple gates, and entered in…he went walking, leaping, and praising God! People were filled with wonder because they remembered him as the man who always sat outside the Beautiful Gate. The lame man’s perspective had changed and he told everyone. He praised God for his miraculous healing!
And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.
Act 3: 16 (NASB)
Do we believe there is power in the name of Jesus and He can heal lives? When others look at us, do we grab their attention because they see Christ in us? Are we too busy to reach out a hand and help others to stand? There will come a day when we need to be carried and require help to walk. For some of us, we may have become comfortable living low to the ground. It is safer than the courage and effort it takes to stand and walk through the unknown. God wants to give us a new perspective and He beckons us to enter through the Beautiful Gate.
It is the name of Jesus that strengthens us…have faith in His name and walk forward!
Blessings,
Lily Mae
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