This blog is based on the chapter “Peter and John Heal a Crippled Man at the Temple”, first published in 2004 in my book Lighting the World.

The Bible tells us that in the first community of believers: “Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles” (Acts 2:43). The story of Peter and John healing a crippled man shows us why everyone was filled with awe as the apostles did many wonders and miraculous signs.

This healing happened “[o]ne day [as] Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon” (Acts 3:1). The person who needed healing was “a man crippled from birth” (Acts 3:2).

As the crippled man “was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts[,] . . . he saw Peter and John about to enter” (Acts 3:2-3). Naturally, “he asked them for money” (Acts 3:3).

All of us are somewhat like this man crippled from birth. There is some aspect of our life that is “crippled.”

We may be emotionally or spiritually crippled. Or we may suffer some physical limitation.

Our problem may have existed from birth. Or it may have arisen this morning.

But whatever aspect of our life is “crippled,” in some sense we are more than what we have become. And we must be healed to become all that God wants us to become.

Most of us are like this man crippled from birth. We are looking for the wrong things to make us better.

Often, as this man did, we think that more money will solve our problem. We must learn that whatever cripples us cannot be healed by money, nor by might nor by power, but only by God’s spirit being poured out on us.

Peter and John proceeded to teach the crippled man this lesson.

First, they had to get his attention. Therefore, “Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, ‘Look at us!’ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them” (Acts 3:4-5).

Similarly, God often must get our attention so that he can help us become all that he wants us to be.

Sometimes it is through godly people such as Peter and John. Sometimes it is through desperate circumstances when we walk through valleys of shadows of death, defeat and despair.

But however God gets our attention, we will learn something that helps heal whatever cripples our lives.

God will start by changing our ideas about what we most need in life.

This crippled man gave Peter and John his attention because he “expect[ed] to get something from them” (Acts 3:5).

What he thought he needed—and what he wanted to get—was money. But Peter and John knew that his true need wasn’t money. His true need was to be healed from what crippled him.

Therefore, “Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” (Acts 3:6).

When I am discouraged, it is usually because I am focusing on what I do not have.

Therefore, to encourage myself, I think of Peter saying, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.” Because, in order to light the world, we have to focus on what we do have: gifts from the Holy Spirit to heal others!

We may not have the specific gift that Peter used here:

Taking [the crippled man] by the right hand, [Peter] helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk.

(Acts 3:7-8).

Whatever gifts we may have to heal others, we should do the same thing as Peter did: give them a hand and help them up.

The specifics will vary. But one way or another the result will be similar.

Someone who used to be crippled will go with us “into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God” (Acts 3:8). Someone who used to be crippled—begging others to give to him—will go forth lighting the world giving praise to God.

And if you are the cripple—always looking for what you can get from others instead of how you can heal others—take heart. You too can be healed. After someone heals you in the name of Jesus by taking your hand and helping you up:

You will go out in joy

     and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills

     will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field

     will clap their hands.

(Isaiah 55:12).

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT

In what ways are people—including you—crippled?

When have you taken someone by the hand and helped them up, healing them?

When has someone taken you by the hand and helped you up, healing you?

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For related thoughts, please read my blogs “Jesus Embodies Hesed—Saving Lost Sheep, Lost Coins, and Lost Sons”, “The Star of Bethlehem Was a ‘Can of Tuna Fish’”, “Timothy: A Good Shepherd”, and “Come and See the Promised Land: A Place of Abundance”.