Denver Seminary

In the Book of Acts, chapter 3:1-9, we read about the miraculous healing of a lame man. As to his background, the scripture says, “a certain man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.” (3:2). In the Jewish culture and Rabbinic teaching the lame man was a subject of debate and controversy. Does he become lame because of his sin or his parents’ sin? Because of his deformity he could not enter the temple.  All he can do is to beg for alms daily. Even to do that he had to be carried from his home to the temple gate.  His physical limitation subjected him to poverty, excluded him from worship, and left him with a lifelong psychological scar. As far as his family and the society are concerned, the lame man was destined to live and die as paralyzed beggar.  But God had a new and exciting chapter for him.

Through the ministry of Peter, the paralyzed man was completely healed. From being the subject and object of poverty, he became the source of wonder and amazement. There are so many things that can “paralyze” us in life. Sexual and drug addiction, economic crisis, broken homes and bad upbringing, bitterness, sickness, poverty, etc. can paralyze us mentally and emotionally and limit our health and productivity. Jesus Christ can give us a second chance and He can turn around our life for good.