Beautiful Gate in Jerusalem

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple.When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, “Look at us!” And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!” And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God; and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Acts 3:1-10

The lame man was dependent on other people to get to the gate outside the temple. He asked for money as the people passed him to enter the temple to pray. Every day, people entered the temple. Every day, he sat outside the temple.

This day, the lame man expected the same–he would sit outside while others tossed him a coin and walked into the temple and prayed.

This day, he asked Peter and John for money.

“Look at us!”

He stared at them.

“I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!”

Peter grabbed the man and pulled him up!

He leaped to his feet and walked right into the temple–healed! Clean!

This day, the lame man receved more than he expected.

What are you expecting from God?

Could He have more in mind for you than you are expecting?

The man looked into the eyes of Peter and John and walked.

What if we looked into the eyes of Jesus?

What if He reached down and grabbed our hands to raise us to heights we never expected?

Would you leap for joy and become a living testimony pointing to His healing grace?

My prayer for you:

Father, show us if we are asking You for alms when we could be looking into Your eyes and gaining the freedom to enter Your temple, behold Your glory, praise Your name and be a testimony to Your gracious love. Thank You that You are our Healer and all that we ever need.

Are you expecting all that God has for you?