The word "beggar" is rarely associated with the word "beautiful," yet we find both while reading the scripture passage found in Acts chapter 3. A lazy bum, homeless person, drunkard, drug addict, and a "Will work for food" sign are all visuals, which might cross our minds when attempting to describe the word beggar. According to Webster's dictionary a "beggar" is: "a person who begs, or asks for charity; one who lives by begging."

It was around the ninth hour or three o'clock in the afternoon when Peter and John met such a man as they were going into the temple in Jerusalem. In Acts 3:3 from the King James Bible we read, "Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms." Webster's defines "alms" as: "money, food, clothes, etc. given to poor people."

In Acts 3:2 we are introduced to "The Beautiful Beggar" as we read, "Now a man crippled 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." This man was over 40 years old according to Acts 4:22 and had been crippled all his life. He had never experienced the freedom of independence, but rather had to rely on others for his daily care and very existence.

I am sure Peter, John, and possibly even Jesus had seen the man begging outside the temple gate called Beautiful on many other occasions. The Bible does not specifically state this, yet it does plainly say the crippled man was placed outside the Beautiful gate every day. The man was known by many and in Acts 3:9-10 we read, "When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him."

The crippled beggar turned and looked at Christ's disciples expecting a handout as we read in Acts 3:5, "So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them." Instead of a handout "The Beautiful Beggar" experienced a spiritual, life-changing healing touch from the Master's hand. Yes, something beautiful happened to the crippled beggar that afternoon long ago in Jerusalem.

The man was not healed by Peter or John, but by the name and power of the resurrected Jesus. In Acts 3:12-13 we read Peter's words, "Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus." In Acts 3:16 we also read, "By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him [The Beautiful Beggar], as you can all see." And in Acts 4:12 we read, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

I doubt the crippled beggar, who sat daily at the temple gate Beautiful, crossed the minds of Peter or John as they awoke that morning. We know they were going to the temple to participate in the afternoon prayers when the man called out to them, yet little else is known regarding their plans and schedules. If they were anything like us today, their plans probably centered primarily around themselves. They did not set out to heal the man, yet were willing vessels when the time and opportunity arose.

Peter in Acts 3:6 said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Many Christians have quoted this verse and have even sung the words in choruses and songs, yet they have failed to grasp the real power and strength of the passage. I believe the power lies in Acts 3:7 where we read, "Taking him [the crippled beggar] by the right hand, he [Peter] helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong."

The man was looking for a physical handout when what he really needed was the spiritual gift of healing and a helping hand of support. The problem with many churches today is there are way too many people running around shouting, "Rise up and be healed," but are unwilling to reach out and lend a hand of stability or support. I pray that we would not be among those, but rather be men and women who willing help others until they can stand up on their own. Yes, I believe we need to see more "hand-holding" in our churches. May Jesus continue to be glorified as we bear one another's burdens and seek God's glorious face through prayer. Amen.