I NEED JESUS MORE THAN EVER
SCRIPTURE:
“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.” (Acts 3:1—8)
OBSERVATION:
The man who was lame from birth seems to be used by some able body people to earn their living. The moneymakers have no interest in seeing this lame man become free. The lame man was being carried to the temple gate called beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.
I can’t imagine how cruel it is for people to use others for their benefit. It is such an evil thing for those who carried the lame daily to make a living off his lameness. Peter and John were about to enter the temple gate when the lame man asked them for money. Though many BEAUTIFUL things happened to those who entered through that gate to the temple courts, the lame man was carried to beg outside the temple courts.
Peter responded by saying; LOOK AT US, “SILVER OR GOLD I DO NOT HAVE, BUT WHAT I DO HAVE I GIVE YOU. IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, WALK.” The devil and the handlers of the lame man want him to stay lamed for their benefit. But Peter gave the man Jesus for his sake. Jesus came to set the captives free. The man asked for money, but he was given to Jesus. The lame man expected money but was given healing. Money is not the greatest need that people have. The greatest need that all humans have is Jesus.
So many people have been used and kept in bondage by the power of Satan. So many have lost their lives used by others for their purpose. Jesus does not use our lives for his purpose. We have to choose his purpose. We are not forced to live out God’s purpose and plans in our lives. We are to choose his purpose and goals. I am not a forced slave to Jesus’ purpose. I am a free willing slave unto Jesus.
Jesus came into my life and has strengthened me, helped me to walk away from things that have crippled my life and held me down. Jesus has set me free from being a forced slave of the devil and his accomplices to accept and follow him freely. The lame man accepted Jesus and was able to ENTER THE TEMPLE COURT for the first time in his life. He entered a new person and a different person. He was no longer enslaved to earn money for others. The first time the BEAUTIFUL GATE means something different to the lame man. He walked in with Peter and John, walking and jumping and praising God.”
APPLICATION:
I am reminded never to take my relationship with Jesus for granted. I am also reminded that some people have money while others don’t. But whether we have money or not, it is not the most important thing to go after. Everyone needs Jesus, whether they believe it or not. I will do my very best to give Jesus to people at every opportunity I have an encounter with others. I am determined to share the life that Jesus gives to all I may have the chance to speak with.
PRAYER:
Jesus, your name is mighty. Your name is life. Your name is healing. Your name sets us free. I am grateful for the reminder that the works of Satan bind people. Please help me to see how important it is to share your name and salvation with others. Please help me to give you to the people around me at any given opportunity. Give me wisdom and lead me to introduce you to others. Amen!
