The Miracle/Sign/Wonder:
When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. When they realised he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.
Acts 3:3-11
The Miracle Questions:
- Why were Peter and John looking at him intently?
- How is it this man didn’t encounter Jesus if he was there EVERY day?
- Is there any significance to Peter taking the man by the right hand?
- “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee” is a powerful statement – help me to understand it deeper LORD.
- Why does the scene switch from the Beautiful Gate to Solomon’s Colonnade?
- Wouldn’t they still be at the Beautiful Gate when the man was still holding on tightly to Peter and John? There seems something funny with the sequence of this.
- What part did John play when it was Peter who made the statement?
Suryadi’s new question:
If the lame-man each day stayed at the Temple gate, why [had] he never met with Jesus before? Around 60-75 days before, Jesus came in Jerusalem, came to the Temple, also Jesus was angry with many businessmen who had their commodities offered at the Temple. Everyday Jesus had touched [people] in the Temple. So where is the lame-man at that time?
Now you have to admit that is a good question. Help him out. What do you think the answer is? Do you have any more questions? Now is the time to ask them.
Laurel did: If the lame man (or anybody who wants to be healed) had a wicked thought, disbelief, doubt or refused to respond, would the miracle still have work? Now that is also a good question. Ponder Laurel’s question too. How would you answer her?
Don’t forget that this segment is a continuation of the section before it. Luke has told us that the disciples did a number of signs and wonders which caused many to be added to the new church. This is the first of those wonders or miracles done by the disciples. Think on the connection for a while. We will start to analyse the miracle itself over the next days. Then following that we will put it together with the introduction and the speech which follows it. It is all one unit – Setting – Miracle – Speech. What are the features of the component parts? Then how do they go together? That is what lies ahead of us.
You wil have some extra time to think through the questions and figure out how you would respond. .
Expectation is the atmosphere for miracles.
Edwin Louis Cole
This world, after all our science and sciences, is still a miracle.
A W Tozer
Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. Believe in miracles, they are all around you.
Ian Vail
You say: you haven’t seen a miracle. Do you want to see a miracle? Take a look in the mirror.
Ian Vail
You are created by the Hand of God, on purpose. You are an unrepeatable miracle.
Joyce Meyer