I read a story in Acts chapter 3 about a lame, or crippled man, who had been that way from birth. I assume from the time he was old enough to beg he was carried to the Temple Gate to make a living begging for money. Every day was pretty similar and probably, for the most part, uneventful. This must have gone on for years as he settled into this lifestyle. Can you imagine doing the same thing every day without hope of anything ever changing? There are people that are hardly ever sick and have never experienced anything close to what this guy was going through.
Can you picture all the people that walked by this man daily? Some of them wishing he wasn’t there because he made them feel guilty for not giving him anything. Some maybe wishing they could do something for him but they couldn’t. Some may have been self-righteous, thinking he, or his parents, must have sinned to make this happen so he deserved this lifestyle. Some may have made fun of him. Can you imagine how depressed, unworthy and useless he may have felt thinking things would never change? This man may not have had a friend in the world and he may of have felt rejected and unloved for the most part. Can’t you see him sitting there begging trying to act the best that he could in the situation he was in?
But this would be no ordinary day for this man and for many of the other people that saw and heard about what had happened to this man. This was a day of rejoicing and praising, a day when the Lord would be glorified. This was the day this man may have dreamed about as he sat at the gate day in and day out. This was the day when he would get a visitation from the Healer, the Lord Himself. Even though he saw only Peter and John, the Lord is the one that did the healing. Just think of how excited this man was.
He sat there asking Peter and John for money but he received something that money couldn’t buy. He received his healing! Can you imagine when he asked Peter and John for money and they said, "silver and gold I have none but such as I have I give thee," what he was thinking? Just for a moment he probably felt very disappointed, not something he hadn’t heard many other times. Then these words rang out, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk." He must have sat there stunned, wondering if this might be a joke or maybe he didn’t hear Peter right. Then Peter reached down and took the man by the right hand and helped him up and as he did the lame man’s feet and ankles were strengthened. The Word says he jumped up stood on his feet and began to walk.
Then walking, leaping and praising God he went into the temple. He was so excited the Word says, all the people saw him walking and heard him praising the Lord. He was so overwhelmed he couldn’t contain himself. He wasn’t the only one excited, the people were absolutely astounded at what had taken place. Everyone stood there in awe of what had happened. Now think of this, because of this one healing, many more people were added to the church. Peter and John took advantage of the situation and used it for an open door to preach, and the Lord blessed their faithfulness.
What about you? Are you using what the Lord has done for you, sharing it with other people you come in contact with or are you keeping it to yourself? Are you still excited about your salvation or has it become unexciting? One of the greatest things a Christian can do is share their testimony with someone else. Have you been healed or have you been delivered from anything? If you have, share your experiences with someone else, you may be surprised what the Lord might do in that person’s life. There may be another believer added to the church. Praise God!
And believe me. it will not be just an ordinary day for you either. You think this man was excited, you may be more excited than he was, so try it!
Have a great day and don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord! God bless you.
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