Disturbing the Public

Acts 3:2-8

He took him by the right hand and raised him up. Immediately his feet and ankles were strengthened. Jumping up, he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God.

Jesus always causes a disturbance. No one and nothing touched by him will ever be the same again. The apostles left their professions to follow Jesus in Matthew 19:27. The lame man that was healed left his begging outside God's house to praise him and proclaim his name. Every life touched by him is a lifetime marked by service to God. The verses that come before give more detail about this man who was begging.

A man lame from birth was being carried, whom people placed daily at the gate of the temple called Beautiful to ask alms from those who entered the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms.

This man was lame from birth. Nothing could have saved him. Many of us have things keeping us captive that have been with us from birth or for a very long time. The lameness created the need for habits. This man's habit was begging at the house of God. His begging was a social disturbance: an expression of his need and utter dependence on the thing that kept him captive for survival.

Peter, gazing at him with John, said, "Look at us." So he paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."

The transformation of God removes the need for such habits and reliance on the things that crippled you to define your identity and make your livelihood. God gave him a new identity and made him dependent on himself alone. The way he sees the lame man, healed as a son of God wearing the righteousness of Christ, replaced the devil's image of him as a cripple from birth. Peter declares the man healed before the religious leaders who were disturbed by this of God. The power of God rebukes the devil's nonsense. Often the wisdom of this world, mentioned in 1 Corinthians 3:19, is foolishness to Christ because it serves the devil's ends. I just wanted to ask; who in their right mind would be upset that a lame beggar is now walking and praising God? Note the devil's jealousy of the healing of this man because of the character of God. His followers persecute Christ's followers; even John 8:44 speaks of the devil's hatred for God because of his truth. Peter could not accept praise for healing this man; all he said was rise and walk. Only the power of the Lord behind a command spoken can cause transformation. Miracles happen in his presence.