Acts 3:1-12

“And a man lame from birth was … laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple” (v2).  Every culture has its ways of dealing with life’s problems, like this man who “daily” tried to collect enough donations to survive.  His lameness and begging were accepted as normal, until Peter and John came by.  When he was healed in Jesus’ name, “wonder and amazement” (v10) gripped the crowds who, for the first time, saw ordinary brokenness made whole.  

“In the name of Jesus Christ…” (v6).  Jesus rose from the dead, breaking the powers that oppress us, so that we can “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).