Acts 3:3-10

"What I Do Have I Give You"

As Peter and John approached him, the lame man asked them to give him alms. Both apostles looked at him and Peter asked him to look at them. The beggar turned expecting to receive some money, but Peter immediately informed him they did not have silver nor gold. Imagine the disappointment the lame man must have felt when he heard those words. However, that low was turned into an emotional high when Peter healed him under the authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. When Peter pulled him up by his right hand, the lame man felt strength come into his ankles and went walking, leaping and praising God into the temple.

It should be observed that the lame man expressed no faith in the apostles' ability to heal him. In fact, he only asked them for money. As Luke records it, the lame man did not even try to stand up, but was pulled to his feet. Also, it is good to note that the miracle was undeniable. Everyone recognized this man as the lame man who had daily lain at the Beautiful gate begging for alms. They were amazed that they now saw the formerly lame man standing before them. Some within the audience may well have thought of Isaiah 35:6, which refers to the future glory of Zion by saying, "Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert" (Acts 3:3-10).