Look at Him, Not at Us – Beyond the Beautiful Gate
8/30/2026
Acts 3:1-10
We have been going through the book of Acts for the past 2 months.
A few weeks ago, we talked about the early Christians devoting themselves to having multiple regular times of prayers throughout the day. In this chapter, Peter and John went to the temple to have their regular time of prayer. They encounter a lame man at the Beautiful Gate who asks them for alms. Peter responds “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” Peter heals the man, who enters the beautiful gate, leaping and abounding with joy, praising God.
Although it is a simple story, it has deeper meaning about where we place our focus, the type of restoration we seek, and barriers that Jesus removes.
Look at Jesus, not the Apostles. Luke, the author of Acts, is also the author of the book of Luke. This story serves as a direct continuation of the works of Jesus described in the gospel of Luke 5:24-26, where Jesus also heals a man unable to walk. Here, the disciples are following the example that Jesus has given them. The meaning of discipleship is following Christ’s example and continuing His work through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the source of healing and restoration. When in need of help, we should go to and focus on Jesus.
No silver and gold but in Jesus’s name – Look deeper. “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” The lame man approached Peter and John expecting money, but Peter offers him something greater through healing in the name of Jesus. Peter and John could have given the man silver or gold. However, the gifts would be temporary. Pastor Daniel compared the story to a wife and an abusive husband. Despite the husband’s abusive nature, he occasionally showers her with gifts when he feels guilty. In this scenario, the wife may feel that her husband is not terrible after all. For the wife and abusive husband, these gifts are temporary relief to a deeper seeded problem. In the same way, instead of focusing on Peter and John or the money he received, the lame man receives Jesus Christ, who offers deeper restoration beyond his circumstances.
Beyond the Beautiful Gate – Look even deeper. In this story, the lame man was considered unclean. By custom, he was not allowed beyond the boundaries of the Beautiful Gate. Within the temple, there are even more hierarchical lines that discriminate between men, women, gentiles, jews, and priests. Within this world, there are many invisible lines of injustice. When we have Jesus, He will erase these lines. Jesus brings healing personally, true. But Jesus also breaks down the divisions that separate His people. Ephesians 2:14 states that Jesus “…himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility.”
Acts 3 invites us to look deeper. It invites us to look to Jesus rather than through His people. In times of need, He invites us to seek lasting restoration through Him. Not only through our personal lives, but Jesus brings healing to our relationships and communities.
Reflection Questions:
What were your main takeaways from this week’s sermon message?
In what circumstances do I need to trust in Jesus more?
The lame man had an expectation from Peter and John but received something greater. What is God offering me that is deeper than what I am currently asking for?
