April 4, 2008

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.

--Acts 3:1-3

Just as the man we read about in today’s passage was crippled and had no hope, many people today feel just as helpless. And they act much like he did too—crying out for answers, looking for help… but really going nowhere.

The most beautiful part of this story is the picture we get of Christ in the way Peter and John responded to the crippled man. They paid attention to him… just as Jesus pays attention to the broken people of the world. And they showed him the way to restoration and healing.

Christ came to save those… like the man in today’s passage… who are crippled at birth. He came to help those who have been crushed and crippled by the strains and stresses of life.

In Acts 3:8, it says, “And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.” This man went into the temple for the first time leaping, dancing, and praising God because he had been healed!

Jesus is the only One who can put the unbeliever on his or her dancing feet forever. And He’s the only One who can put the rhythm back into the steps of the believer who has lost his or her leap.

So I urge you, if you are in need of healing, turn to Jesus Christ today!

JESUS CAME TO HELP THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CRUSHED AND CRIPPLED BY THE STRAINS AND STRESSES OF LIFE.