The lame man “asked an alms” of Peter And John. Therefore, he was expecting to receive money, but what he got surprised him (Acts 3:3).
Peter with John, looking at the lame man at gate Beautiful, instructed him to “Look on us” (Acts 3:4).
“And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them” (Acts 3:5).
Today, as we traverse the Book of Acts, we are at Acts 3:2-10.
Similar, to the lame man, many of us ask God for something but what He gives supersedes our request.
Often, what we are expecting to receive from the Lord pales in comparison to what He gives us. Sometimes we are expecting to receive something from Him, but we’re uncertain about it.
Now, brethren, what are you expecting to receive from the Lord today? Are you expecting a job? A baby? A house? Tell it to Jesus! Do you have any expectations of the Lord?
As Apostles Peter and John navigate their way to the temple to pray they encounter an unexpected situation.
He Was Expecting to Receive Money but Got Something Better
For “a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple” (Acts 3:2).
But today, something was different. Peter and John had been to Beautiful before. They had seen the lame man before. “Daily” someone carried him to Beautiful to beg. It’s even possible that they had given him money before.
But the fact that today, they are broke wasn’t what was different.
They had recently received power from heaven. So, when the lame man observed them about to enter the temple he made his request.
“Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms” (Acts 3:3).
The fact that you don’t have cash doesn’t mean that you have nothing to give. Peter and John knew this.
Therefore, “Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us” (Acts 3:4). Why?
The lame man obeyed. He looked on them expecting to receive something from them.
What is it that Peter had That he Gave to the Lame Man?
“And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them” (Acts 3:5).
“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6).
What is it that Peter had that he gave to the lame man? What is the significance of his statement?
Recently, I wrote about this in a previous study. I shall not duplicate it here. Please, click on the link above to read the answers, then return here to continue reading this post.
Additionally, this is the second time, since the ascension of Jesus, that Apostle Peter is demonstrating that he has power and he is a witness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
There is no powerless witness of Jesus Christ. If you have received his power then you should bear witness that you have. Peter did just that.
What Happen When you get more than you are Expecting to Receive?
Therefore, “he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength” (Acts 3:7).
Whatever Peter said the Lord would support it with power from heaven. Are you utilizing the name of the Lord for people in need?
What are you expecting to receive from the Lord for them? This man received healing.
“And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God” (Acts 3:8).
When people in need received from the Lord through you they will worship Him. They will visit the “temple”. And they will testify of His goodness. That’s why as witnesses of Christ we must possess His Holy Ghost or we are powerless.
Now they are expecting to receive from him
“And all the people saw him walking and praising God” (Acts 3:9).
Consequently, now he has an opportunity to tell his story. No doubt, the residents of that town were eager to learn by what means he now walks. So, now he could tell them Jesus Christ of Nazareth healed me!
“And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him” (Acts 3:10).
Therefore, whatever you are expecting to receive from the Lord is only as far away as your obedience to a Servant of the Lord.
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Leroy A. Daley is an author, blogger, YouTuber, and Bible teacher. Globally, he's helped hundreds of Christians understand the Bible better. He has been studying and teaching the Bible for more than forty years. He is passionate about the Lord and spends quality time with the Word of God every day.
His Books are available for purchase wherever books are sold.
