18
Apr '21
Rise and Walk again
18
Apr '21
April 18, 2021
by Pastor Charles Nyamakope
3rd Sunday of Easter
Scripture Reading: Acts 3: 1-19
Today’s message is from the Book of Acts. This book is the second volume of Luke’s two-volume work, popularly known as Luke-Acts. After writing the Gospel of Luke, the writer later wrote Acts of the Apostles. The writer was a travel companion of Paul who recorded all his activities during his missionary journeys. Like Luke, Acts is addressed to the unknown reader Theophilus, (1:1–2). The author most likely wrote between the years 80 and 90 AD.
Today’s message is a clarion call for us to look up to Jesus, whose hand is outstretched for us to rise and walk again from issues that make us dysfunctional. In today’s passage, we learn of a man who had grown accustomed to a particular way of life. He was lame from birth. As we think about our infants who are beginning to walk and what joy it is as parents to see their children take their first steps, this man never did that. His parents had to do things for him because he never learned to walk because his legs were deformed.
- Asking for Money
1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.
When he sees Peter and John that day, I am sure he thought he knew what would take place. He would be carried to the gate of the Temple, and as worshipers would come and go, he would ask them if they could spare a quarter or two for a lame man. He had gotten good at asking/begging for money. It is all he had ever done; it is all he could do.
Sometimes we make a mistake in thinking that my life would be much better if I only had more money. The truth is, money is not our greatest need; it was not his greatest need. Our greatest need is to have a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. This passage indicates that this man was a regular at the Gate called Beautiful. He had been there many times before. He may have been there when Jesus walked by on one of the days He had been to the temple. He had probably seen the disciples before as they had regularly gone in and out of the Temple. But this day would be different than all the rest.
- Expecting Money
4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.”
5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.
Here, the lame man fully expects to receive a spare coin or two. He probably has his hand out in expectation, thinking Peter or John or both will drop in a coin out of pity for this man’s condition. Peter and John have something far more important for him. I am sure at this point, the lame man sitting on his mat begins to look away, perhaps for others who might be more favorable than these two men who, it does not seem, are going to give any money. Peter’s emphatic request is so the man will pay attention and hear them. We learn that the lame man fixed his attention on them but still expected to receive alms.
- Receiving Faith, Health, and Life
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”
Peter begins by stating that he does not have any money to give. Probably, Peter and John had less money with them than this beggar had. Does the work of God depend on money? Of course not. Peter tells this man that he does possess something else. He possesses something of much greater value. This commodity of infinite worth is free for all who have faith.
- Walking, Leaping, and Praising God
7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Here is a man who, on those special nights, dreamed wonderful dreams about having healthy legs. I am sure in his dreams he was walking, running, and leaping, only to wake up and realize it was just a dream. God had done something entirely unexpected. Determined to heal this man physically as was usual it was accompanied by physical healings that required faith, so this man trusted Christ for much more.
This man was touched by God, given faith, and healed. The lame man was never the same again. The first thing he does with his new legs is to leap in the air praising God.
When Luke reports that this lame man leaps, he is choosing his words very carefully to convey that the Last Days have been ushered in, and this man’s healing is a picture of the future healing and restoration of all things when Christ returns. There will be a day coming when all creation is restored to perfect health, in the name of Jesus…leap! Amen. Below are a few reflections I invite you to participate in during your dinnertime at home.
Dinner Time Reflections (Acts 3:1-19)
- How do you respond to the beggar on the street corner in front of the hardware store? a. What is the appropriate way to respond? b. Is giving a hand-out always the most appropriate action? Why or why not?
- Describe a time in your life when you found yourself without money.
- What do you think prompted Peter and John to stop suddenly and minister to the disabled man?
- How long has the crippled man been lame (Acts 3:2)?
- What were Peter and John unable to give the crippled man (Acts 3:6)?
- What did Peter and John give the crippled man?
- What is the importance of Peter’s statement: “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” (3:6)?
- What did the crowd need to do to have their sins forgiven? (Acts 3:19).
- What changes will you make in your life based on this scripture reading? (Acts 3:1-19).