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Seeing The Whole Picture. Acts 3: 1 – 10 . Acts 3 Peter Heals a Beggar with a disability.
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Seeing The Whole Picture Acts 3: 1 – 10
Acts 3Peter Heals a Beggar with a disability 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.
The beggar saw Peter and John. v. 3 - “When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.”
Do we see the people who may be able to help us in our needs?
Peter and John looked at the beggar. v.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.”
Do we look (not stare) at people who have disabilities, or are homeless, or those who may need financial help to get out of a bad situation with a loving and caring heart? Is there compassion in our eyes?
The man paid attention. v. 5 - “So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.” He expected something!
Do we expect something when we pay attention to someone speaking to us?
Peter had no financial assistance (Silver or Gold) to offer the beggar... but he offered what He did have to give... Faith in Jesus to heal the beggar. v. 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."
Even though it may not seem like much to give, are you willing to offer what you do have to people in need?
The beggar had to accept the gift and stand up. v.7 - 8 - “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.” Did he have faith in healing? We can’t know for certain, but He was asking for money and not healing, so it appears it was not his faith in the healing power, but rather it was it Peter’s faith that healed him.
Even though we may offer a gift to someone in need, they still have to choose to accept or reject the gift.
When others saw the beggar had been healed, they were shocked and amazed! v.9 - 10 - “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.” It is hard for people to believe without being amazed when someone’s life is radically changed by God’s transforming power.
