Acts 3:1-8 (NIV)

Ciara Lilly is a Charlotte-area writer. Her faith-based column, Fishers of Men, is published here each Monday. Opinions expressed are solely her own.

“1: 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 crippled 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 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.”

I have read this passage repeatedly and it always amazes me. Why? Because I continue to find similarities between me and the crippled man. I am not physically crippled, but I have let my circumstances cripple me. And I know I’m not alone with this one. Just think about how crippling debt, poor relationships and unemployment can be?

But let’s focus on the crippled man. As scripture states, he’s been crippled from birth. He doesn’t know what it’s like to have the full function of his limbs. He has become content with a certain quality of life.

What are we content with? Are we being carried through the doors of a job we’ve outgrown? Perhaps we’re being carried to those same comfort zones we’ve had since birth?

So Peter and John walk by the crippled man, and it’s written that the crippled man asks Peter and John for money. This isn’t unusual, especially during this time, because the disabled community was shunned and forced to live in inhuman conditions. There wasn’t government assistance or shelters. You had to beg for whatever you needed. Here’s where it gets interesting.

“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.”

The first thing I would like to point out is that Peter and John looked straight at the crippled man and said, “Look at us!” How many people do you think actually looked at the crippled man? Here’s a better question: When we’re driving down the street and we see a homeless man/woman approaching our window, how many of us make eye contact, yet alone request their attention?

My second point is the next verse, which says, “So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.” Notice, the scripture doesn’t say that he was expecting money - his original request. There’s something powerful about being obedient and waiting in expectation- it activates your faith.

“Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I 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.”

Imagine what would have happened if the crippled man refused to obey Peter and John’s instructions? What if he demanded what he thought he needed, instead of humbling himself to receive “something from them?” Would the story end the same?

Before we answer these questions, let’s remember the last time we begged God for something - a car, a job, a new mate, etc. With God, you never have to beg; you expect!

As Mark 9:23 states, “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

Today, don’t stand inside your comfort zone begging for anything! Just mirror the obedience, faith and expectation of the crippled man and prepare to start “walking, jumping, and praising God” too.

Got news to share with Qcity readers? Email us at editor@qcitymetro.com.
Sign up for our weekly email newsletter below

Sign up for our Weekly Email Newsletter Email: For Email Marketing you can trust

Other Ways to Share Twitter Del.icio.us MySpace

Discussions and Submission Agreement