He begged Peter and John for alms, but he was shocked at their response that day. But to his amazement, Peter told him he had no money, but what he had he would give…
An African adage says “It is not good for a butcher’s son to eat bone and it is not good for a seamstress’ daughter to wear rag”. It literally means living in the midst of plenty and still be in lack. Well, this is the story of a certain forty-year-old man who was lame from his mother’s womb and every day his mother would carry him to the gate called “BEAUTIFUL”, to beg for stipends from passerby. For so many years he sat at the gate begging. Some even say that this gate called “beautiful” is made of gold and it is right at the centre of the city, and so many people go in there. The rich, the not so rich, priests, kings and many other important personalities go there,except this certain man. He just wouldn’t go in, but rather stayed at the entrance of the gate.
But I perceived the man was satisfied and that is the reason he wasted 40 years of his life at the gate, begging for alms, instead of seizing the opportunity which could be derived from this famous location in which all the important personalities in the society come to.
Have You Given Up?
He had access like every other person, but the young man and his mother chose to stay at the gate begging for alms. So every day, he sat there begging for alms. I don’t know how much financial support he got, sitting down there at the gate, but I know it won’t be that much to mortgage a property. But I perceive the man was satisfied and that is the reason he wasted 40 years of his life at the gate, begging for alms, instead of seizing the opportunity which could be derived from this famous location in which all the important personalities in the society come to.
It was very convenient for him to mortgage 40 years of his life just sitting at the entrance of his breakthrough and not go in. Fortunately for him on this fateful day, Peter and John were going into the temple and they were to pass through the beautiful gate and this certain man, as usual, did what he knew how to do best, begging. He begged Peter and John for alms, but he was shocked at their response that day. But to his amazement, Peter told him he had no money, but what he had he would give, but what could be more than money? I am sure that was the thought going on in this man’s head. Then Peter said to him “rise up in the name of Jesus” and Peter took the man by the hand and lifted him up. Immediately his feet and ankle received strength and leaping for joy, he entered the beautiful gate with Peter and John.
Where Are You Now?
So where are you now as you read this piece? Are you the “Certain Man” living at the entrance of the beautiful gate, but was there for a different reason. You might not even be at any gate, but are you where you’re meant to be in life, or you’re just getting by and by as the day goes? Just as Peter and John said to the man “rise up and walk” I encourage you to rise up from that valley position that had held you bound for all these years and receive strength in your feet. Carry on with the journey of life, which can only be easy with Jesus in it, and He can help you stop begging, save, heal, and make you whole again. Act 3.
