Healing prompts 5,000 to come to Jesus

The Gate Beautiful, or Golden Gate. It is believed that Jesus entered through this gate on Palm Sunday. It is thought that Jesus will return through the Golden Gate. Ottoman Sultan Sulieman sealed the gate and built a cemetery in front of it, so that when Elijah preceeds Jesus’ return, Eljah cannot walk through the cemetery without becoming unclean. Think that’s a problem for the Lord?

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. Acts 3:1-2

Ankles twisted and completely out of joint, this man sat at the entrance of the magnificent Gate Beautiful, ornately and heavily plated with gold and silver. The gate stood 50 cubits high in comparison with the other gates reaching 40 cubits, and it was so heavy, it took 20 men to move it. It was 60 feet wide and was the place of public worship during morning and evening sacrifices.

Weakness and deformity in the gate of strength and majesty … years of people passing him to enter the temple, a temple he was not allowed to enter because of his condition.

Look at us!

Looking into Peter’s eyes and then John’s eyes, the man expected a coin.

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.

How many miracles? His feet and ankles were strengthened. He immediately knew how to walk, and he leaped and praised God.

This man expected a coin; he received a healing; he received the opportunity to enter the temple, and his healing prompted Peter’s sermon.

And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all. Acts 3:16

As a result of this man’s healing, about 5,000 people accepted Jesus that day.

This man was never the same. This crowd was never the same.

How has God worked in your life? Tell someone today. Tell these readers.

My prayer

Father, You are our Creator, our Healer, our Comforter, our Savior. Thank You for what You are doing in our lives. Show us how You are working in our lives, the plans that You have for us. Empower us to tell others about Your goodness, Your healing grace. Embrace us with Your love, and infuse us with Your Spirit, so that we leap and praise You as others are watching. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.