BEGGAR AT THE BEAUTIFUL GATE – Lesson 1

The Bible records a lot of incidents. One such incident is found in Acts 3:1-10. The incident is about “A Lame Man” who is “Healed” by God through Peter and John. This lame man sat at a palace called “Beautiful Gate” which in fact was truly a majestic gate, of all the gates to the temple of GOD, at Jerusalem.

Hundreds of people enter the temple every day, through this gate, for various personal reasons. Most of them, three times a day, to worship the LORD God Almighty. Here sat a lame man, “begging” for money – “2 And 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 from those who entered the temple;” – Acts 3:2

It is very interesting to note that, this man, lame from his birth, who cannot help but depend on others, for something as basic as moving around, has a beautiful lesson for all who enter the house of God to “beg” of the LORD for “alms” and assistance. Even to us, this day, some 2000 years latter.

– All of us are “beggars” albeit in different sense.
– All of us need someone else’s help to be where we are presently.
– All of us live on someone else’s goodness, generosity and kindness.
– Only God can help and transform us truly and completely.
– God’s help comes to us from all directions. So do not negate anything or anyone.
– While waiting for help, be expectant.
– When we receive something, be always grateful to the LORD, for what is received.
– Be thankful also to the person, though whom, God helped us receive the help.

May the LORD help us to be grateful and thankful people…always…like the beggar at the Beautiful Gate – “8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.” – Acts 3:8. He was overflowing with gratitude and thankfulness. Such a response doesn’t come merely because he received help. Such a response comes from a heart that had already been grateful and thankful to the LORD, despite his ‘beggarly’ situation. Even so LORD, help us.