2019 – Deeper
Just a Touch

THIS WEEK’S FOCUSED SCRIPTURE

Acts 3:1-10 (NIV) One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame 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 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 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.‍

THOUGHTS FROM JANE‍

Because Peter and John dared to reach out and touch this man, his life was changed. No longer a lame beggar, he went walking, jumping, and praising God!

Just a touch. That’s all it took. A touch can heal the heart even when it cannot change circumstances. A hand placed on the shoulder in compassion, a hug of empathy, or even a simple smile can remind a suffering person that someone cares and that they are not alone.

We must learn to look for opportunities like this in our lives. Find those that are hurting and trust God to supernaturally help us meet the needs we find. There will always be people like the beggar at the Beautiful Gate. As the Body of Christ, we have a responsibility to find those people and do what we can in the name of the Lord.

This particular miracle did far more than change the life of one lame man. This person was a catalyst for a tremendous work of God. The lame man’s healing drew a crowd and caused a stir among the onlookers. Peter and John could not have planned anything better to draw a crowd. This created the perfect forum for Peter to preach about Jesus. They would never has guessed that God would use a simple beggar to spark a revival in the temple courts! God’s ways are above our own. God’s plan was so much better! He chose to use a lame beggar the apostles had likely walked past every day without noticing. God chose to do something big in an unexpected way. He still does today.