Acts 3:8-10
So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them–walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
In Acts 3:1-10, we witness a remarkable transformation that powerfully illustrates God’s grace and the joy of salvation. A man, lame from birth, sat daily at the Beautiful Gate, seeking alms. His life was confined to the margins of society, dependent on the charity of others and unable to fully participate in the presence of God INSIDE the temple. But then, Peter and John, filled with the Holy Spirit, offered him not silver or gold, but something far greater—healing in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
When Peter took the man’s hand and declared, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk,” his feet and ankles were instantly strengthened. The man’s transformation was immediate and complete. He rose, walked, and ENTERED the temple with them, leaping and praising God. This physical healing symbolized a deeper spiritual renewal. No longer an outsider, he now fully participated in worship, his joy and gratitude overflowing.
This passage teaches us that in Christ, we are not merely patched up but wholly renewed. God lifts us from our places of brokenness and invites us into His presence, enabling us to walk, leap, and rejoice in the fullness of His grace. Let us, like the healed man, respond with unrestrained praise, testifying to God’s mighty works in our lives. Let us all say no to a life outside the presence of God. Amen?
Pastor Josh