Acts 3:8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
The Temple had several entrances. The one called “Beautiful” was one of the favored gates. A certain crippled man was next to Beautiful every day so he could beg. All he wanted was some money. Perhaps this was how he helped his family survive and care for him. Perhaps he hoped for enough to pay for some medical help. Perhaps this was the only way he could survive in his brokenness. We don’t know what he needed the money for, we can assume many things, but simply put, it’s what he thought he needed. Giving money to beggars was considered praiseworthy in the Jewish religion. So, this man was wisely placed where he would have the most exposure to people on their way to Temple.
Devout Jews observed prayer three times during the day; morning (9a), afternoon (3p) and evening (sunset). Peter and John were headed to the Temple for the prayer service; as believers in Jesus, they still held to many of the Jewish structures for worship. This brought them in close contact with others who worshiped God but needed Jesus. The crippled man asked for money, but Peter gave him something much better, the use of his legs. All he wanted was some money, but he got so much more!
We may feel overwhelmed, broken, even crippled over a problem. We ask God to solve it, but he wants to give us a whole new life and help for all our problems. We may ask for an immediate need, and He may say, “I’ve got something even better for you.”
Ask God for what you want, but don’t be surprised when he gives you what you really need.
May you delight in knowing that God loves you deeply. May you rest in his provision and care. May you find dignity and hope at the gate called beautiful. May you find healing in the One who is beautiful.
