“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 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.”

The peaceful scene was about to be shattered! Jerusalem…the city of God’s throne…alive with Jesus’ new life…would again become the battle ground. His enemies smelled smoke…the evidence of a fire burning somewhere. 

The disciples still functioned in the temple. After all, the temple was Jesus’ arena, the place He loved…His Father’s house. They gathered for prayer in “the house of prayer”. 

Someone was waiting there to set another fire ablaze…innocently…but arranged by Jesus …to set His church on a new trajectory…into the heart of enemy territory. 

A man sat at the entrance gate, helpless, unable to walk, his useless legs twisted underneath him…begging for a coin or two to sustain himself. It was a daily struggle.  People were so used to his presence that they walked past him, unseeing…ignoring his plight…but two men heard him. 

“When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 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.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk.”

The disciples had finally got it. The penny had dropped! They were the mouthpiece of Jesus…to speak on earth what He had spoken in heaven. They were the heralds of God’s kingdom, not only spreading the good news of Jesus’ reign on earth but confirming the message with the same signs Jesus had done when He was with them. 

At Peter’s command, the lame man leapt to his feet, his crooked legs now straight and strong. he began to leap and dance, shouting his praise and thanks for all to hear. 

“Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 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.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The people were gobsmacked. What was this? Jesus was no longer around. Had He, somehow, miraculously returned? They knew this man. He was the guy who sat begging at the gate…but now he was walking! They shook their heads…and shared his joy. 

The miracle of what had just happened spread like a prairie fire. Just like the miracles Jesus had done, this marvellous event caught the imagination of the people. Jesus had been crucified…but rumours that He was alive had surfaced all over Jerusalem and beyond. Could it be true that He was back? How was this possible?

Now a lame man had been miraculously healed! What a platform to share the message! People had gathered from all over the city to see the man who had sat at the entrance of the temple, crippled and helpless, begging for a few coins to keep himself alive. 

Peter was quick to seize the opportunity. “No, people! This is not about us. This about Jesus, the one you crucified.”

“The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

But God…

”You tried to outwit God…but it didn’t work! Jesus is alive. He did this, not us.” Peter gave it to them…in the clear language of Biblical prophecy…just like Jesus had taught them. He became the relay station for the words and works of Jesus. 

Just as, on the day of Pentecost, Peter opened up the Word of God…offering grace and forgiveness to all who would return to the Lord. 

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken, have foretold these days. “…When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭3‬:‭19‬, ‭24‬, ‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The outcome was electrifying, to say the least…

To be continued