Opening: Have you ever seen or experienced a miracle, more than the daily
miracles of a new day, or of life? What was your response? How did you react?
Scripture: Read Acts 3:1-10.
Insights:
- The Jews observed three times for prayer – morning (9:00 am), afternoon (3:00 pm), and evening (sunset). At these times, devout Jews and Gentiles who believed in God often would go to the Temple to pray. It was to the afternoon prayer service that Peter and John encountered the lame man.
- We don’t know when this encounter occurred, but it is safe to assume that it was not very long after the day of Pentecost. How is it then that this man was not healed by Jesus when He came in and out of the Temple?
- Have instantaneous miracles stopped? It is the simple fact that a doctor or surgeon can now do things which in apostolic times would have been regarded as miracles. God has revealed new truth and new knowledge to humanity, and through that revelation they are still performing miracles. As a great doctor said, “I bandage the wounds; but God heals them.” For the Christian there are still miracles if he or she has eyes to see.[1]
Life
Questions:
- The lame man asked for money, but Peter gave him something much better – the use of his legs. We often ask God to solve a small problem, but He wants to give us a whole new life and help for all our problems. He may say, “I’ve got something even better for you.” You may ask God for what you want, but don’t be surprised when He gives you what you really need.[2]
- So often, when we encounter a beggar in the street, we avert our gaze and be sure that our eyes do not meet. Likewise, many times the beggar does not look at the people passing; it is just too humiliating. “Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, ‘Look at us!’”[3] What does the ministry of Jesus require of us as we encounter the hurting of our world? Imagine what God would say if they had gone to worship and ignored the lame man.
Prayer: For us to
see the needs of the people around us, be willing to look them in the eye, and
declare in the name of Jesus, “Get up!”
