Peter Heals the Crippled Beggar

Acts 3:1-10
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.  Now a 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.  When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.  Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”  So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”  Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.  When all the people saw him walking and praising God,  they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

As I read these verses this morning, all I could think about is how simple this amazing healing was. Peter and John didn't pray, they didn't look to heaven, and they didn't get on their knees. All they did was get the crippled man's attention, told him to get up and walk in Jesus Christ's name, and then helped him up. The man was instantly healed! He was able to walk for the first time in his life, and he praised God.

I think the key to this passage of scripture is found in verse 6, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you." Peter and John wanted to help this man. They had compassion for him, and at the same time they knew he needed Jesus in a real way. I think that even if Peter and John had money they would have given it to the crippled man, and they still would have gone above and beyond to heal the man.

Not only did they heal the crippled man, but they also took him to the temple. I think they did this to provide proof that the man truly was healed. Peter and John didn't need to prove it to themselves but to other people. The people there in the temple court recognized the man, and were astonished that he was walking, jumping, and praising God.

This brings 2 questions in mind. First, what are we doing to show compassion to others? Second, how are we showing Jesus in a real way to the people around us?

Lets look at the first question, "What are we doing to show compassion to others?" Peter and John had nothing of material value to give. All they could give was the Gospel. With us on the other hand, we can all spare a few bucks every once and a while, and we always can share the Gospel of Jesus. Colossians 3:12 says, "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

How can we show compassion to others? Compassion by definition is sympathy and compassion for the sufferings and misfortunes of others. There are tones of people out there that are suffering or have been unfortunate in life. Sometimes they just need a hand up, just like what Peter did in helping the crippled man to his feet. Think about it for a min, what can you do to help other people in times of suffering and misfortune? I think that just loving on them, and being for them shows compassion. What about if you knew a kid who's parents didn't have the money to get them school supplies or new shoes. You could very easily give them a few pens and pencil's, and an old note pad. What about the beggars on the side of the street? This is the difficult one here cause you don't know if they will use the money to feed themselves, or to go out and buy alcohol or drugs. But what you could do is give them some food or clothes. If we are Holy Spirit filled believers, we can also do just what Peter did and heal those who need physical healing through the name of Jesus Christ (It is Jesus that heals through us, not us doing the healing). There are tones of other ways to show compassion. Just thank about it for a while and you can come up with your own ways.

Now for the second question, "How are we showing Jesus in a real way to the people around us?  The problem here is that most the time we don't. Most people say that it is the pastor's, evangelist's, and missionaries job to do. However, the reality is that tells us in 2 Timothy4:5 that we all need to do the work of an evangelist. Jesus gave us the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” That wasn't just a command for the disciples. It was meant for all people who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord God and Savior.  This is something that must be done until Jesus comes back because not every one has heard the gospel yet.

Pulis, said in his Youth 101 class at Central Bible College, relationships that use to take 3 to 6 months to build with teens can take up to 3 or more years to do now. Even though that statistic is about teenagers, its the same for young adults too. The important thing is that we build relationships with people in a way where we can share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them through the way we live, and through our words. So how do we build relationships? It's simple, hang out with them. Think about it, how did you build relationships with your friends, coworkers, and even your spouse? By hanging out with them. Some of the ways that I do this is by playing video games, go to sporting events, and talk about art and computers with my students. I do it in an authentic way, because those are the things that I enjoy and it opens up a way for me to talk and get to know my students.


By showing compassion and building authentic relationships, people will look at you with wonder and amazement. In doing those two things, you will help people and will spread the gospel. And, by showing compassion and building authentic relationships you will achieve things that you never would have dreamed of.


Go out and show people compassion, build relationships, and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.