Healing The Lame Beggar

Spring, c. 33 AD

Healing The Lame Beggar

A stunning public miracle has disrupted the afternoon prayers at the Temple. As Peter and John were going up to the Temple at the ninth hour, a man who had been lame from his mother's womb asked them for alms at the Beautiful Gate. Peter locked eyes with him and declared, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you."

Commanding the man in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene to walk, Peter seized his right hand and raised him up. Instantly, the man's feet and ankles were strengthened. He sprang to his feet, walking, leaping, and loudly praising God as he entered the Temple courts. The crowds are utterly astonished, recognizing him as the lifelong beggar.

"But Peter said, 'I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!'"
— Acts 3:6

Timeline Box: This pivotal healing occurred during the early days of the Jerusalem church, sparking the first major persecution.

Divided Kingdom Era, c. 850 BC

Elisha Heals The Waters Of Jericho

The men of Jericho approached the prophet Elisha with a crisis: while the city's location is pleasant, the water is bad and the land is unfruitful. Elisha requested a new jar with salt in it. He went to the spring of water, threw the salt in, and declared the waters healed by the word of Yahweh. The spring remains pure to this day.

"Then he went out to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, 'Thus says Yahweh, "I have healed these waters; no longer shall death or unfruitfulness come from them."'"
— 2 Kings 2:21

Timeline Box: Elisha's first miracle established his prophetic authority following the departure of Elijah.

United Kingdom Era, c. 1020 BC

David Plays The Harp For Saul

The Spirit of Yahweh has departed from King Saul, and an evil spirit is bringing him terrifying torment. In search of relief, his servants have sought out a skillful musician. They have brought young David, the son of Jesse, into the king's court. Whenever the spirit torments Saul, David plays the harp, and the king finds temporary refreshment and healing.

"So it happened that whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well..."
— 1 Samuel 16:23

Timeline Box: David's therapeutic music ministry brought him into the inner circle of the royal court.

Editorial: What We Have To Give

The world is full of brokenness. Saul was tormented by an evil spirit; Jericho was cursed with toxic water; and the beggar at the gate was crippled from birth. In every case, human wealth or power could not fix the problem.

Peter did not have silver or gold to give the beggar, but he had something infinitely better: the authority of the name of Jesus. David used his harp; Elisha used a bowl of salt; Peter used the Name. We often focus on the resources we lack, but God is asking us to use what we currently have. When we offer our unique gifts in the name of the Lord, He brings miraculous refreshment and restoration.

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