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What are you reading today? Are you still studying the Word? I was reading in the book of Ephesians this week and found some of those “didn’t notice that” portions of the Bible.
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. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 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. 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. Acts 3:7-10
I was reading about the Scriptures Paul wrote about Peter and John going to pray as well. When they prayed for the man who was sitting at the gate called Beautiful, it says that Peter prayed then He reached out his hand and helped him up! Then they went into the temple together, while he went jumping and leaping and praising God.
Now first of all we focus on the words of Peter “ Silver and Gold have I none but such as I have give I thee, then we read about the man being healed and walking and leaping and praising God but it is easy to miss the fact that they didn’t just poof you are healed but they also helped him up.
Often times we read through and miss the importance of the hand extended. The fact that he reached out says he was not done! I think the mention of the right hand would be good to focus on too!
It gave me a whole new perspective. It was not about Peter and John just waking, they were going to pray and once they healed this man instead of just giving him money he was able to attend prayer with them! His outlook changed.
Sometimes we get things off like how I read it, and we forget to give more than just money to the poor or displaced, or even those who are just begging for whatever reason they are; what more can we do? We can give them Jesus Christ! We can pray for them right there in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth for them to be healed, take up their bed or chair and walk!
Next time you think to pass on a buck to a beggar stop and think if you missed something… it could have change a life!
All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.
Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact! Acts 3:9 -15
As I continued on reading in Chapter 3 of Acts I found out the man stayed with them in the Temple while Peter taught the people there until the Pharisee decided to give them trouble. Peter was ready instant in season when he had gone in to pray and so he took the chance to preach to the crowd. I see from this that I did not realize he did that either! I only knew Peter and John went to pray and healed the man cause they had no money. So why are we missing so much of this story? We are taught topically most of the time, and so we do not read the whole chapter. If you take on my challenge to read the whole chapter then write about what you read, you are going to find a lot of things that God has put in there for you to see!
It is exciting to find things like this out!
Keep reading! I am! The Book of Acts is amazing!