So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 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.

Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.

And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers.

But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Acts 3-1-18

MIRACLE WITH A MESSAGE

It is shortly after the day of Pentecost … already more than 3,000 had been saved they were coming to the Temple for evening prayer, it was 3:00. I wonder if this man, who was laid daily at the gate, knew he was about to become part of something special. I wonder if he sensed the Spiritual charge in the atmosphere, the spillover power of the resurrection, did he know something? He was a "picture" of sin, lame from birth and unable to change himself. He could not GET UP TO WALK, he could not GET OUT TO WORK, he could not GET IN TO WORSHIP...he could only GET DOWN TO BEG!

He was on the wrong side of the gate. .. wrong side of the gate...one side there was worshiping on the other side there was wilting.

Herod’s Temple is believed to have been 35-45 acres...the "Beautiful Gate" was probably the Eastern Gate or the Gate of Nicanor. For many, it was business as usual, but for those who had experienced salvation, excitement of the Holy Spirit’s presence was obvious. There is a great message with this miracle, the miracle, became the pulpit! The Jews were CONFRONTED BY A MIRACLE that couldn’t be REASONABLY DENIED. It could not be HUMANLY EXPLAINED and it couldn’t be LIGHTLY DISMISSED. What could they do with this? The could not define it, could not deny it and they couldn’t dismiss it. They could only deal with it.

"So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?"

This miracle was probably observed by thousands, thousands who were still unbelievers. Peter used the miracle as his message. Why are you looking at us as though we did something, this was done in the Name of Jesus. The Holy One of God whom you crucified! You rejected him and preferred Barabbas. YOU chose a murderer! Your choice condemns you. Peter used this great miracle to preach the New Covenant, you still have a choice. Our choices condemn or convert. Crowns Him or crucifies Him.

The Jews were convicted by the MESSAGE of the Miracle. Peter says, "I know you did this in ignorance as did your rulers…" Ignorance is inexcusable...though understandable! You’re are guilty of the Blood of the innocent Lord Jesus, You need to repent! He preached strong and the message has not changed,

Peter preached about a RISEN LORD! He preached about a RESIDING LORD. The message from the miracle was about the power of Jesus Name and the powerful truth of the gospel. A RISEN Lord and an ever-present RESIDING Lord. This is the message of the miracle. Jesus Lives and if you will repent and acknowledge your sin He will receive you. He hammered gospel truth to the unbelieving Jews. He had their attention because of the miracle.

Peter said, "And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all…"

He preached a REDEEMING LORD. "Don’t look at us as though we had anything to do with this miracle, it is faith in His Name, yes, the faith which comes through Him…" Salvation is still the same, by grace through faith. What a powerful message Peter preached.

Jesus is a Redeeming Lord and He is a REQUIRING Lord. Understanding that you did this in ignorance is one thing, but you still must repent. Repentance is a requirement.

Peter said Repent that the times of REFRESHING may come. No repentance, no refreshing. He is a refreshing Lord and seems we all need to bathe in that refreshing. . Thank God for Jesus, thank God for a refreshing Lord!

Peter preached the full message. Jesus is also a REIGNING LORD. He reigns right now. And He is a RETURNING LORD. Read Peter’s great message in Acts 3 and you will see the miracle was a pulpit for his message.

Jesus is also a RESTORING Lord!

So you see the unbelieving Jews were CONFRONTED BY THE MIRACLE, they were CONVICTED BY THE MESSAGE and they were CONVERTED BY THE MASTER.

He receives he who believes. He revives dormant lives. He removes our sin, blots it out! Think about that...blots them out! Gone!

This man at the gate was more than forty years old, he was born lame. I don’t know that he ever expected to be healed. He may well have been at a point where he had accepted his plot in life but he was at the right place and he did expected to receive from God’s people. He likely could do no more than what he was doing, I don’t know that any more was required of him. The wrong side of the gate in this case turned out to be the right side.

He believed and he received and his healing became the conduit for the gospel of Jesus Christ. What transforming power in the simple message of Jesus Christ.

Just for Jesus,

Don