40 Days of MiraclesSample

Peter (with John) Heals a Lame Man

How many times did the lame man in this story witness Jesus go in and out of the Temple with Peter and John? Did he ever ask for healing? Did he ever ask Jesus for money? If so, did he receive any? The phrase translated, "...he asked for money," literally means that he asked for a "kindness." If he did ask Jesus for a kindness, then the Lord, in His wisdom, left him lame as he was born for a number of years before healing him through the hand of Peter.

Now his story is enshrined in Scripture at the birth of the Church. He could never have known that then, especially if he thought the healing Rabbi was less than kind. Likewise, we cannot know all that God knows when we seek a kindness from Him, but we can know His character in the Person of Jesus. The one who "loved us to the end" will not fail to be as kind and compassionate as the fullness of His love leads Him to be.

Questions for Reflection

• Have you ever asked God for something only to be disappointed? How did you feel?
• How did you cope with your feelings, and does the story of this man's healing shed new light on how you might process your own experience of God's timing, response, and sovereignty?