BEGGAR’S BELIEF
Opening Prayer
All I’ve been, all I am, all I can be, I give to You, Lord. Give me a pure and undivided heart.
Read Acts 3:1–10
Peter Heals a Lame Beggar
3 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.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Whom do you see around you on a regular basis? There might be someone who wouldn’t normally get your attention.‘And Peter directed his gaze at him’ (4, ESV). When life is busy, there’s a deadline to meet and a bus to catch, I wonder how often I fail to take notice of those in need around me – perhaps even willfully so? Peter not only noticed the lame man, he then went further, he interacted with him (4). Peter wasn’t there to look down a self-righteous nose at the man, ‘God helps those who help themselves,’ ‘pull yourself up by your bootstraps.’ Instead, he intended to be compassionate towards him, took him by the hand and helped him up (6,7). Compassion + Faith = Healing. That’s how Jesus did it. That’s how Peter did it. That’s how God wants us to do it.
It’s a truly wonderful picture of what Jesus can do for any one of us who is down and out. The lame beggar started his day helpless, waiting to be carried to the place where people would have to literally step around or over him, begging them to spare some change. He finished it leaping and praising God for what He had done, and walked into the Temple, healed and restored.
Apply
Is there anyone right now that you might be ‘stepping over or around’ rather than reaching out to with compassion? Take a moment to ask yourself that question and wait for God’s answer.
Closing prayer
Jesus, help me to stop and look around me with eyes wide open. May I see those who are in need of a touch from You.
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