Chapter 21—The Cripple Healed
A short time after the descent of the Holy Spirit, and immediately
after a season of fervent prayer, Peter and John, going up to the temple
to worship, saw a distressed and poverty-stricken cripple, forty years
of age, who had known no other life than one of pain and infirmity.
This unfortunate man had long desired to go to Jesus and be healed;
but he was almost helpless, and was removed far from the scene of
the great Physician’s labors. Finally his earnest pleadings induced
some kind persons to bear him to the gate of the temple. But upon
arriving there he discovered that the Healer, upon whom his hopes
were centered, had been to a cruel death.
His disappointment excited the pity of those who knew how long
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he had eagerly hoped and expected to be healed by Jesus, and they
daily brought him to the temple, that the passers-by might be moved
to give him a trifle to relieve his present wants. As Peter and John
passed, he begged charity from them. The disciples regarded him with
compassion. “And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said,
Look on us.” “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.”
The poor man’s countenance had fallen when Peter declared his
own poverty, but grew bright with hope and faith as the disciple con-
tinued. “And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up; and
immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping
up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking,
and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking
and praising God. 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.”
The Jews were astonished that the disciples could perform miracles
similar to those of Jesus. He, they supposed, was dead, and they had
expected all such wonderful manifestations to cease with him. Yet
here was this man who had been a helpless cripple for forty years,
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