Interview with the Lame Man – Read Acts 3:1-13.
Sept 19, 2018 10:39:30 GMT -6
Post by Gene Whitehurst on Sept 19, 2018 10:39:30 GMT -6
Some of my thoughts about what might have happened.
NewsMan: Thank you John and LameMan for talking with me. I would like for you to give me some details of what happened on the day when the healing took place.
LM: It was a day just like any other. I saw Peter and John on their way to the hour of prayer at the Temple. They were passing by on their way and I was begging. They had been along this pathway many times before – on their way to the Temple. They sometimes would stop and talk with me and share their beliefs with me. But on this day, Peter and John stopped and looked straight at me and said, “Look on us.” As soon as I heard this, I gave them my attention. I thought that I might be getting a handout. Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
NewsMan: What did you do?
LM: Well, for a short second I just gave Peter a stare. While I was stunned and motionless, Peter reached down and grabbed me by the arm and started helping me to my feet. Then I looked down at my feet and ankle bones. I could see and feel my lower leg muscles immediately enlarging and my ankle bones and feet began to straighten out into the correct position. They had been twisted and deformed for as long as I can remember. Then like a lightning bolt, a strong and robust feeling came all over me. As Peter was helping me up, I gathered my feet under me and jumped up…nearly knocking Peter over. I had never stood for 40 years. I had never jumped before. I didn’t know how to stand up, to jump, maintain my balance, or any other thing necessary to walk – but suddenly I did know how! Soon, I was walking and leaping. I had seen babies struggling to walk – rocking back and forth, falling, and needing help to try again. I realized that this awesome healing included a miracle in my mind. Miraculously, I was fully coordinated. I had perfect balance and I knew how to walk, run and how to jump. I went into the Temple with Peter and John walking, leaping, and praising God.
NewsMan: And then what happened?
LM: Needless to say, when we entered the Temple, the hour of prayer was interrupted. Everyone began looking at me – they all knew me as the man lame for 40 years, who was always sitting outside the Temple begging. Some were shouting, some were just staring, and some were not sure what was happening. Very soon, with the pushing and shoving and talking – a large group had worked us all to an outside portico of the Temple. Peter was led by the Holy Spirit to use this opportunity to share the gospel with those who were there. And with a powerful voice, he quieted the crowd and preached Jesus Christ to them. (Acts 3:12-26) And as you have witnessed, many people believed in Jesus Christ as their Savior from sin.
NewsMan: So your being healed gave opportunity for Peter to preach to many people?
John: Jesus often showed His compassion for those who were suffering. He often healed people and fed them and stopped violent storms, and more. But more important were the messages of salvation and spiritual training. Often His humanitarian actions would give occasion for Him (and us apostles) to preach the good news of the Word of God. It is always the primary intention of the apostles and Jesus to preach and teach. The conversion and spiritual growth of the soul are permanent – eternal blessings. Dealing with the sufferings is absolutely wonderful, but truly temporary. Not long ago, After Jesus had performed miracles in Capernaum. His disciples came to Him and were begging Him to return to Capernaum and continue the same. However, Jesus made it clear what His primary ministry was. Rather than returning to Capernaum, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so I may preach there also; that is why I came…” (Mark 1:38)
NewsMan: Well how about you LameMan? Have you believed in this Jesus as your Savior?
LM: On their previous walks down the Temple pathway, Peter and John had talked about the way of salvation to me. I told them I would think about it and maybe someday. But I was just putting them off. But on this day, it all came together for me. Jesus not only healed me, but I came to understand clearly on that day that He had died for my sins in order for me to be saved. I have forgiveness for my sins and eternal life.
NewsMan: So, what now? Are you going to join with apostles with their preaching?
LM: I’m not sure what God has planned for me. I plan to spend time with relatives and share the great news of my healing and my salvation with them. And now I can also find a job somewhere and help support the family in a more significant way. And I will certainly make time to come back to this pathway of other crippled folks and share the gospel with them – and with anyone else who will listen to me. I won’t offer them healing, but I can offer them the gospel. The gospel truly is good news. So I ask you my friend, Mr. NewsMan, how about you? Have you believed in Jesus Christ as the one who died on the cross to pay for your sins?
NewsMan: Just like you did, I’d like to put off that decision. I’ll think about it.
John: Jesus taught us that today, this very day, is the day of salvation. Do not think that you can put it off. To delay is a deadly thing. To delay is to harden your heart. Jesus spoke these words, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16)
How about you my friend? Have you believed and trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior from sin?
Gene Whitehurst
mail to: gwdeut@gmail.com
NewsMan: Thank you John and LameMan for talking with me. I would like for you to give me some details of what happened on the day when the healing took place.
LM: It was a day just like any other. I saw Peter and John on their way to the hour of prayer at the Temple. They were passing by on their way and I was begging. They had been along this pathway many times before – on their way to the Temple. They sometimes would stop and talk with me and share their beliefs with me. But on this day, Peter and John stopped and looked straight at me and said, “Look on us.” As soon as I heard this, I gave them my attention. I thought that I might be getting a handout. Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
NewsMan: What did you do?
LM: Well, for a short second I just gave Peter a stare. While I was stunned and motionless, Peter reached down and grabbed me by the arm and started helping me to my feet. Then I looked down at my feet and ankle bones. I could see and feel my lower leg muscles immediately enlarging and my ankle bones and feet began to straighten out into the correct position. They had been twisted and deformed for as long as I can remember. Then like a lightning bolt, a strong and robust feeling came all over me. As Peter was helping me up, I gathered my feet under me and jumped up…nearly knocking Peter over. I had never stood for 40 years. I had never jumped before. I didn’t know how to stand up, to jump, maintain my balance, or any other thing necessary to walk – but suddenly I did know how! Soon, I was walking and leaping. I had seen babies struggling to walk – rocking back and forth, falling, and needing help to try again. I realized that this awesome healing included a miracle in my mind. Miraculously, I was fully coordinated. I had perfect balance and I knew how to walk, run and how to jump. I went into the Temple with Peter and John walking, leaping, and praising God.
NewsMan: And then what happened?
LM: Needless to say, when we entered the Temple, the hour of prayer was interrupted. Everyone began looking at me – they all knew me as the man lame for 40 years, who was always sitting outside the Temple begging. Some were shouting, some were just staring, and some were not sure what was happening. Very soon, with the pushing and shoving and talking – a large group had worked us all to an outside portico of the Temple. Peter was led by the Holy Spirit to use this opportunity to share the gospel with those who were there. And with a powerful voice, he quieted the crowd and preached Jesus Christ to them. (Acts 3:12-26) And as you have witnessed, many people believed in Jesus Christ as their Savior from sin.
NewsMan: So your being healed gave opportunity for Peter to preach to many people?
John: Jesus often showed His compassion for those who were suffering. He often healed people and fed them and stopped violent storms, and more. But more important were the messages of salvation and spiritual training. Often His humanitarian actions would give occasion for Him (and us apostles) to preach the good news of the Word of God. It is always the primary intention of the apostles and Jesus to preach and teach. The conversion and spiritual growth of the soul are permanent – eternal blessings. Dealing with the sufferings is absolutely wonderful, but truly temporary. Not long ago, After Jesus had performed miracles in Capernaum. His disciples came to Him and were begging Him to return to Capernaum and continue the same. However, Jesus made it clear what His primary ministry was. Rather than returning to Capernaum, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so I may preach there also; that is why I came…” (Mark 1:38)
NewsMan: Well how about you LameMan? Have you believed in this Jesus as your Savior?
LM: On their previous walks down the Temple pathway, Peter and John had talked about the way of salvation to me. I told them I would think about it and maybe someday. But I was just putting them off. But on this day, it all came together for me. Jesus not only healed me, but I came to understand clearly on that day that He had died for my sins in order for me to be saved. I have forgiveness for my sins and eternal life.
NewsMan: So, what now? Are you going to join with apostles with their preaching?
LM: I’m not sure what God has planned for me. I plan to spend time with relatives and share the great news of my healing and my salvation with them. And now I can also find a job somewhere and help support the family in a more significant way. And I will certainly make time to come back to this pathway of other crippled folks and share the gospel with them – and with anyone else who will listen to me. I won’t offer them healing, but I can offer them the gospel. The gospel truly is good news. So I ask you my friend, Mr. NewsMan, how about you? Have you believed in Jesus Christ as the one who died on the cross to pay for your sins?
NewsMan: Just like you did, I’d like to put off that decision. I’ll think about it.
John: Jesus taught us that today, this very day, is the day of salvation. Do not think that you can put it off. To delay is a deadly thing. To delay is to harden your heart. Jesus spoke these words, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16)
How about you my friend? Have you believed and trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior from sin?
Gene Whitehurst
mail to: gwdeut@gmail.com