What did you read from the Bible today?
My family and I had a nice, short devotion about 30 minutes ago. We gathered together and sang a few Christmas carols and songs. Here’s the passage we read:
Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed.
The miracle that happened here was wonderful. This man had been lame from birth. He had never ever walked! But when the Lord healed him through Peter and John, he was able to leap up and immediately start walking!
He did it without any physical therapy or training- he just walked and jumped and leaped!
Then, did you notice that he entered the temple with Peter and John. He didn’t say “oh, thanks guys, now I can go and take care of my own business- go have a party with my friends” or something like that. Remember how Christ healed the 10 lepers and 9 of them didn’t even come to thank Him? Well, this man did not do that mistake. NO! He went right into the temple to worship and praise God for the miracle he experienced!
The lame man also showed a sign of true discipleship. He held on to Peter and John. He followed them around and stuck close to them as a true disciple would. He didn’t say adieu! After the miracle he experienced, he was so grateful that he wanted to find out more about God from Peter and John and probably he wanted to become like them in character.