07-20-2025 A Miracle with a Message

Text: Acts 3:1-12

                    This morning I’d like us to look at the first miracle performed after the Pentecost and see not only the miracle but also the message that it has for us today.  We read about it in Acts 3:1-12 where Luke writes:  “ (1) Now Peter and John went up together into the Temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour [3:00 pm in our time].  (2) And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the Temple which was called Beautiful to ask alms of them who entered into the Temple.  [This gate was made of expensive Corinthian brass and said to be about sixty-two feet wide and thirty-one feet high.  It was an entrance to the Temple, not the city and was the most favored entrance which was why people in need would wait there for handouts because giving money to the poor and needy was considered praiseworthy in the Jewish religion]  (3) Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the Temple asked an alms.  (4) And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said Look on us.  (5) And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.  (6) Then Peter said, silver and gold have I none; but such as I have, give I thee:  In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.  (7) And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up; and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.  (8) And he, leaping up stood and walked, and entered with them into the Temple, walking and leaping, and praising God.  (9) And all the people saw him walking and praising God.  (10) And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.  (11) And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.  (12) And when Peter saw it, he answered  unto the people, “You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look you so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we have made this man to walk?”

                   Earlier in Acts chapter 2 we learn how the Holy Spirit came to those gathered at Pentecost allowing the Apostles to witness in a language understood by all and how Peter preached a sermon where 3,000 were saved.  But this morning’s text shows more than a miracle.  Yes, the healing of the lame beggar was a miracle but more importantly it came with a message.   Let’s look at that message.

                   Two people went to the Temple to pray.  But the Temple had changed at the crucifixion of Jesus.  Matthew 27:51 tells how the veil hiding the Holy of Holies that was sixty feet high from the ceiling to the floor, four inches thick, and so strong that four teams of oxen couldn’t pull it apart, had been torn in two at the death of Jesus. This could have only been done by God.  He is telling us that the price for sin was completely paid.  Now all people, not just the priests, are free to approach God because of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins.  When we accept Jesus into our heart and life, we are restored to the family of God. 

                   Peter and John came to pray that afternoon at the traditional hour of prayer at the Temple.  The Jews observed three times of prayer:  morning at 9 a.m., afternoon at 3 p.m., and evening at sunset.  At these time Jews and Gentiles who believed in God would pause to pray.  The Temple and local synagogues around the country would hold prayer services for those who could stop by.  Peter and John were going to the Temple for the afternoon prayer service because they were in Jerusalem.  We are being told today that when we pray,  miracles are possible and our message about Jesus is powerful.

                   In verses 2 and 3 of our text we see how a man who had been lame from birth was taken to the Temple to plead for alms.  When you think about it, this man wasn’t much different from us.  Paul tells us in Romans 3:1-23 that we all walk lamely because we are sinners.  This beggar had been living on the world’s handouts to sustain him.  Like him, all sinners are looking for something to satisfy their needs.  But the truth is, the handouts from the world will still leave us beggars because, like the lame man in our text, we need something the world can’t give us.

                   Verses 5 and 6 show us that on that day, Peter saw the beggar’s real need and met it.  The beggar expected a gift of money, but Peter told him he had no sliver or gold.  Instead Peter had a greater gift to give him and told the beggar that he would give it to him.  Then came the miracle.  Peter said to him, “In the name of Jesus rise up and walk.”  “In the name of Jesus” means by the authority of Jesus Christ.  The Apostles were doing this healing thorough the Holy Spirit’s power, not by their own.  Then in verses 7 and 8 we see how Peter took him by the hand, lifted him up, and he was able to walk. 

                   Then as shown in verses 9 to 11 we see how in his excitement, the formerly cripped man began to jump, walk around, and praise God.  Everyone that saw him knew he was the man who was lame. and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what happened to him.  Verse 11 tells us that the beggar was holding on to Peter and John because he didn’t want to let them out of his sight for fear his lameness might return when they left.  But that wouldn’t happen.  And all the people who were gathered around them were in awe of the power of God shown to them that day.

                   Finally as we learn in verse 12, Peter saw an opportunity to share the message of Jesus .  He asked all those who had gathered around why they looked at them as though it was their power or their godliness that made the beggar walk.  Peter was turning their attention away from him and John and back to Jesus Christ where it belongs.  Like Peter, we are to always be looking for opportunities to tell others of Jesus and how salvation, made possible by His sacrifice on the Cross, is the greatest miracle of all that is available to anyone who chooses to believe and accept Him into their hearts and lives. 

                   And every time we pray, we should make it a practice to close our prayers by asking in the name of Jesus.  When we do this with true faith and belief, we are guaranteed that whatever we ask in Jesus’ name, God will answer in the way that is best for us.  Remember that He knows our past, present and future.  The answer may not be exactly as we asked, but it will be answered in the way that is most beneficial to us.  Sometimes it will be a clear yes, sometimes a no, sometimes we will have to wait, and sometimes it will be something completely different than what we originally asked for.  Remember that it’s the power of our faith in Jesus Christ that gives us the opportunity to have the best life on this earth.  It doesn’t guarantee that we will never have heartache and pain, but when those times come, we will have the ability to find comfort when we need it the most.  It’s the power of the name of Jesus Christ that will sustain us every day on earth up to the moment that we leave this life and see Him face to face.  Trust in Him completely.  Let Him work in your life through the Holy Spirit and then tell others that He can do the same for them.

                   Until we meet again, may God bless you and keep you, may He shine His light on you, show you grace, and give you peace in all the days ahead.