Today’s selected reading continues in the New Testament book of the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ—the book of Acts—as it was written and recorded by the beloved physician Luke. More specifically todays passage begins with the twelfth verse of the third chapter and continues through to the twenty-second verse of the fourth chapter. “And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? Or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him God. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorant ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unot the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall slay unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, and in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities” (Acts 3:12-26). “And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now even tide. Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. And it came to p ass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, ,and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:1-12). “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, What shall we do to these men? For that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed” (Acts 4:13-22). BY WHAT POWER, OR BY WHAT NAME HAVE YE DONE THIS? BY THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, WHOM YE CRUCIFIED, WHOM GOD RAISED FROM THE DEAD, EVEN BY HIM DOTH THIS MAN STAND HERE BEFORE YOU WHOLE! WHEN THEY SAW THE BOLDNESS OF PETER AND JOHN! PERCEIVED THAT THEY WERE UNCLEARNED AND IGNORANT MEN! THEY MARVELLED! THEY TOOK KNOWLEDGBE OF THEM THAT THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS! BEHOLDING THE MAN WHICH WAS HEALED STANDING WITH THEM! THEY COULD SAY NOTHING AGAINST IT! INDEED A NOTABLE MIRACLE HATH BEEN DONE BY THEM IS MANIFEST TO ALL THEM THAT DWELL IN JERUSALEM! WE CANNOT DENY IT! When you come to this particular portion of Scripture you will find the continuation of the events in Jerusalem surrounding and after the miracle which was performed in the name of Jesus. What makes the words which are found in this passage of Scripture so incredibly astonishing when you think about it is when you consider you the apostle Peter’s response when the people in the Temple came running unto he, the apostle John and the lame man who was healed. If you read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you will find that when Peter saw this he answered the people and began speaking unto them concerning that which had taken place among them. The apostle Peter asked them they marveled at this and why did they look so earnestly upon them as though by their own power or holiness they had made this man to walk. Pause for a moment and consider the incredible language the apostle Peter used in this passage of Scripture and to address those to whom he was speaking. The apostle Peter asked those who looked so steadfastly and intent upon him why they looked so intently and earnestly upon he and the apostle John. What’s more is the apostle Peter would also ask them why they looked upon them so intently and earnestly as though it were somehow they themselves who could take credit for what had taken place. The apostle Peter recognized and understood that there was absolutely nothing they did that would warrant them taking any credit for what had happened to this. Man who was lame. All those in the temple came running unto the apostles Peter and John when they witnessed and beheld this lame man walking with them for they knew and recognized that this was the same man who used to sit at the gate called Beautiful begging and asking for alms. The single and greatest reason why the people in the Temple came unto the apostles Peter and John was indeed because they were greatly curious and intrigued about this man whom they knew to have been previously lame and sitting at the temple begging and asking for alms. WHEN A TESTIMONY WALKS INTO THE TEMPLE! WHEN A TESTIMONY WALKS INTO THE HOUSE OF GOD! As I sit here today thinking about that which is found within this passage of Scripture I can’t help but think about how the miracle took place—not inside or within the Temple but outside the Temple at the gate called Beautiful. If you take the time to read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you will find that the miracle of this lame man being healed took place outside of the Temple and the witness and testimony of that miracle would indeed enter into the Temple together with the apostles Peter and John. Pause for a moment and consider how absolutely incredible this truly is for it would be one thing if this miracle had taken place in the temple and the people within the Temple saw and witnessed it, however, it would be something entirely and altogether different for the miracle to take place outside the temple—perhaps away and apart from the people. There is something truly incredible about this miracle for the miracle itself would take place outside the Temple of the living God in the midst of the city of Jerusalem and yet the testimony and evidence of the miracle would enter into the Temple. I am absolutely convinced we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful and incredible truth surrounding the miracle itself—and not only this miracle but other miracles. There are those who would dare teach and purport that miracles can only take place within the house of the living God. There are indeed those who would like to think that miracles and wonders can and should only take place in the sanctuary and perhaps even at the altar at the front of the church. Time and time again there have been men and women who have taught that miracles should only take place in the house of the living God and that they cannot and should not take place anywhere else. If there is one thing this particular passage demonstrates and reveals it’s that miracles can indeed and can in fact take place outside of and apart from the house of the living God. What’s more is that it is possible for those miracles which took place outside the house of God to enter into the house of God as a witness and testimony. This lame man sat at the gate called Beautiful—perhaps day after day as the countless men and women came to worship the living God with their tithes and with their offerings. Time and time again there were those who would go up to the Temple to worship before the living God and they would see this lame man asking and begging for alms. There were perhaps certain individuals who would be moved with compassion toward this man and would indeed give him an alms, however, there was nothing more they could give him nor anything else they could do for him. Oh I can’t help but think about the words which are found in this passage and consider how there might have been countless men and women who might have passed by this man and heard him asking for alms and thought and felt as though they had nothing to give him. There might have been others who passed by this man and thought and knew they had something to give and offer him and would in fact give him an alms. If there is one thing that makes this particular passage so incredibly unique and powerful when you take the time to consider it is when you read how this man was sitting at the gate called Beautiful and asking for alms when the apostles Peter and John would make their way unto the Temple. This man would ask for alms from Peter and John and the apostles themselves realized and recognized they had nothing to give him in the physical and natural sense. In fact the apostle Peter would declare unto him that they had no silver and gold but what they did have they would give unto him. The apostles Peter and John recognized that they could not give this man that which he had been so accustomed and so used to asking yet they could indeed and could in fact give him what he did not ask for. I am absolutely convinced this man thought and perceived that he was relegated to sitting at the gate called Beautiful asking for alms for the rest of his life. There is not a doubt in my mind this man never had any thought, expectation or anticipation of ever being healed of that which plagued his physical body. What he would witness and experience on this particular day, however, is something which he could have never dreamed of nor even imagined. This man thought and perceived that he was relegated and confined to asking for alms for the rest of his life and that he might even be destined to sit at the gate called Beautiful at the mercy and behest of other people. What he would find, however, was something entirely different on this day for on this particular day the apostles Peter and John would make their way into the Temple and would come unto this man who had previously asked and begged for alms. The apostles Peter and John would indeed make their way unto the Temple on this particular day, would hear this man asking and begging for alms and knew they had nothing to give him—certainly that which he himself had been so accustomed and used to asking. The apostles Peter and John recognized they had absolutely nothing to give unto this man save what was perhaps the most important thing. I am sitting here today thinking about and considering the narrative of this lame man who sat at the gate called Beautiful at the Temple which was present in the midst of the city of Jerusalem and how many people would pass by him on a daily basis. How many men and women would pass by him on a single day as they would go up to the Temple to give of their tithes into the treasury and/or present their offerings and sacrifices upon the altar which was present in the outer court. Scripture makes absolutely no mention of the altar of burnt offering and sacrifice during the days of Jesus and there is a part of me that can’t help but wonder if offerings and sacrifices were still being offered. We know from Jesus’ entrance into the Temple and observing those who bought and sold in the midst thereof together with the money changers and how He would overturn the tables of money and cast out all those who bought and sold within the Temple. There seems to be the thought and idea that men would and could come unto the Temple and essentially buy their offering which would be offered unto and before the living God. With this being said I would dare say there might very well have been countless men and women who went up to the Temple on a daily basis to present their tithes and their offerings unto the Lord and might very well have passed by this man asking and begging for alms. I do believe there might have been those who were moved with compassion and gave this man something of their excess and surplus and yet that which they gave him would do absolutely nothing for his physical condition. What makes this truly astonishing when you take the time to think about it is when you consider that even if men and women gave alms unto this man it would do absolutely nothing that would actually help him in the long term. Those who would give alms unto this man might very well have helped feed him and might have helped him buy food that he might be sustained, however, even that would be not enough for him. This man would sit at the gate called Beautiful and would ask alms from those who would go up to the Temple and those alms might very well have helped feed him and helped sustain him to some degree on a daily basis. With this being said, however, I can’t help but think about how many men and women would go up unto the Temple and even if they had nothing to give him knew and believed there was nothing they could do for him. Having said this there is a part of me that can’t help but wonder if there were any of those who would go up to the temple and see this man asking and begging for alms and would help him into the Temple to worship before the living God. Is it possible that there might very well have been those who would come up to the Temple and beholding this particular man asking and begging for alms would help him up from that place and would escort him into the Temple? Scripture is entirely sure how long this man would indeed sit at the gate called Beautiful asking and begging for alms, however, we do know that this man was lame from his mother’s womb and birth. What we can indeed know based on this passage of Scripture is that this man sat there at the gate called Beautiful day in and day out for quite some time as when he would enter into the Temple walking together with the apostles Peter and John people immediately recognized him as the man who was lame and who sat at the gate called Beautiful. We know that this man was lame from his mother’s womb and that he would indeed be forced and relegated to sit at the gate called Beautiful asking and begging for alms. The more I think about and consider the words which are found in this passage of Scripture the more I am reminded of the words which are found in the ninth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John. In the ninth chapter of the gospel narrative written by the apostle John we find another account of someone who had an infirmity from the time of their birth. In the third chapter of the New Testament book of Acts we find and discover how this man was indeed lame from birth and from his mother’s womb. What’s more is that we would learn within and from this particular chapter that this man who was lame from his mother’s womb was carried and laid daily at the gate of the temple which was called Beautiful to ask alms of them that entered into the Temple. Oh imagine making your way unto the Temple to give of your tithes and offering(s) unto the living God and being met with this man who was asking and begging for alms. Imagine going up to the temple—not to give alms of someone who asked for it but to present your tithe(s) and your offering(s) before and unto the Lord. Oh I can’t help but wonder how many people might very well have felt uncomfortable going up to the Temple knowing they would see this man at the gate called Beautiful asking for alms. With this being said there is a part of me that can’t help but wonder if there were many who would not enter into the Temple by and through this gate because they did not want to be bothered or inconvenienced by this man who was asking alms. These people desired to go up unto the Temple and present their tithe and their offering unto the living God and depart from the midst of it almost as quickly as they would enter into it. I read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture and I can’t help but be absolutely gripped and captivated with the tremendous language that is found within it as there might very well have been countless men and women who would go up to the Temple and would be used to and accustomed to seeing this man sitting there asking and begging for alms. I am absolutely convinced there were and there might very well have been countless men and women who would go up to the Temple and feel as though they had nothing to give him. These people—knowing this man was asking for alms—knew they had absolutely nothing to give unto him and perhaps they would declare unto him they had nothing to give him or perhaps they would just continue walking into the Temple ignoring him as though he was not even there. There might very well have been others who did indeed realize they had something to give unto this man and would give him whatever they might have been able to spare. Still there might have been others who knew this man sat at the gate called Beautiful day in and day out and would perhaps enter into the Temple by an entirely different way than through this gate. There might have been those who would go unto the Temple who would enter in through a different gate as though this man weren’t even present because they didn’t want to be inconvenienced. There might have been others who would pass by this man completely and utterly ignoring him pretending he did not exist because they felt they had nothing give unto him. Stilt there might very well have been others who would go up unto the Temple and who would give unto this man that which they did have and that which they could spare. It is with this in mind I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the words which are found in the ninth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John. I find it absolutely necessary to draw your attention to this passage of Scripture for within this passage of Scripture we find an account of another man who was at the Temple in the midst of the city of Jerusalem. As Jesus and His disciples were departing from the Temple they would encounter and come across a man who was blind from birth. Upon looking upon and beholding this man the disciples would ask Jesus who had sinned—this man or his parents—that he had been born blind. Jesus would indeed declare unto them that it was neither this man who had sinned nor his parents who had sinned but that the glory of God might be manifested within and through Him. What makes the narrative and account mentioned in the third chapter of the New Testament book of Acts so incredibly unique when you think about it is whether or not Jesus and His disciples might very well have passed by this man as they too entered into the Temple. If this man was indeed lame from his mother’s womb and was laid at the gate called Beautiful daily that he might ask for alms and if he was above forty years old then it is possible that this man might very well have still been sitting outside the Temple at the gate called Beautiful after Jesus had ascended unto the right hand of the Father. Stop and consider the fact that it is possible that this man might very well have been passed by Jesus and His disciples as they too would enter into the Temple to worship before and unto the living God. Oh is it possible that this man was laid by the gate daily during the days in which Jesus and His disciples would indeed go up unto the Temple? Is it possible that this man might have been one of others—perhaps even one of many—who were present at the gates of the Temple asking and begging for alms? I sit here today thinking about and considering the fact that there would indeed be one who had an infirmity from birth and from his mother’s womb at the Temple whom Jesus would heal. There would indeed be a man who was born blind and who had walked in that blindness his entire life until that day and that moment when he would experience the person and presence of the Lord Jesus. This man who was born blind would indeed sit by and at the Temple of the living God which was present there in the midst of the city of Jerusalem and would perhaps even ask and beg for alms. I would dare say that this man who was born blind would himself be brought and laid at the Temple that he might ask for alms of those who would pass by as they entered into the Temple. Oh stop and consider the fact that it might very well be possible that as men and women went up unto the Temple there would be a man blind from birth and a man lame from birth whom they would encounter before they would ever enter into the midst of it. Stop and consider the fact that when men and women went up unto the Temple they knew they would indeed encounter a man who was blind from birth asking for alms and/or a man who was lame from birth asking for alms. How many times would these men be ignored, despised and even rejected by those who would go up unto the Temple of the living God because men and women didn’t go to the Temple to give to those in need but to worship the LORD? How many times were these men vilified, marginalized, despised and ignored because men and women did not go up unto the Temple to give alms to those who would sit there begging and asking for them? Oh what makes this all the more intriguing is when you think about and consider the parable which Jesus had taught and delivered concerning the Good Samaritan. It would be in this parable Jesus would talk about a man who was journeying from Jerusalem to Jericho who fell among thieves and robbers who not only stripped him but also beat him and left him for dead. Jesus described how a priest and Levite would indeed come to the place where this man was and the priest would pass by on the other side while the Levite would actually look upon this man and would also pass by on the other side. Consider if you will the following words which are found in Jesus’ words when delivering this particular parable: “And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, what is written in the law? How readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thickest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, he that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:25-37). I am absolutely convinced we must needs recognize and understand the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for it wasn’t enough for this man to fall among thieves who stripped and wounded him leaving him half dead but both a priest and a Levite would look upon and see him and would pass by on the other side. Now you might be wondering how and why I would choose to use this particular parable which Jesus taught unto a lawyer who stood up for to tempt Him—first asking what he needed to do to inherit eternal life and secondly asking who his neighbor was. Jesus would indeed declare unto speak unto this particular lawyer and deliver a parable concerning a Samaritan who not only showed compassion unto and upon this man but would take care of him and bring him unto a place where he would be cared for and nursed back to life. The reason I mention and bring this up is because I can’t help but wonder how many men and women might very well have been like this priest and Levite who passed by on the other side—even after coming upon the place where this man lie on the side of the road naked and left for dead. How many men and women would make their way unto the Temple and would perhaps pass by on the other side completely and utterly ignoring these two men who were asking for alms? How many men and women would come to the Temple and would perhaps know and be aware of these two men who were at the entrance(s) of the Temple and would pass by on the other side or enter in another way because they did not want to be bothered by them? Is it possible there were perhaps men who would go up unto the Temple and yet believed within their heart that they were not called to go up unto the Temple to give unto those in need but to worship before and unto the living God? These men both struggled with an infirmity from birth and had perhaps spent a considerable amount of time outside the Temple asking for alms—and not only asking for alms but also unable to go up into the Temple because one was blind and unable to see and the other was lame and unable to walk. Oh with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the ninth chapter of the gospel narrative written by the apostle John beginning to read with and from the first verse: “And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing” (John 9:1-7). “The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, is not this he that sat and begged? Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. Then said they unto him, Where is he? HE said, I know not” (John 9:8-12). “They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, he put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? How then doth he now see? His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age, ask him: he shall speak for himself. These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? How opened he thine eyes? He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? Will ye also be his disciples? Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind? If this man were not of God, he could do nothing> they answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him” (john 9:13-38). IF YOU CAN’T MINISTER UNTO OTHERS WHILE YOU’RE GOING UNTO THE HOUSE OF GOD PERHAPS YOU SHOULD RECONSIDER GOING UP UNTO THE HOUSE OF GOD! IF YOU CAN’T MINISTER UNTO NEEDS WHEN YOU’RE GOING UP TO THE HOUSE OF GOD THEN WHY ARE YOU EVEN GOING UNTO THE HOUSE OF GOD? IF YOU CAN’T STOP AND HELP SOMEONE IN NEED AS YOU’RE GOING UNTO THE HOUSE OF GOD TO WORSHIP THEN WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU SHOULD GO UP TO WORSHIP THE LIVING GOD? IF YOU CAN’T BE INCONVENIENCED GOING TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD TO HELP SOMEONE IN NEED THEN WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU’RE GOING TO UP UNTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD CAN AND WILL ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE? WHY WOULD YOU DARE GO UP INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD TO WORSHIP BEFORE HIM IF YOU IGNORED, NEGLECTED AND DESPISED THAT PERSON WHO WAS IN NEED WHOM YOU SAW ON YOUR WAY TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD? Oh there is something we must needs recognize when considering the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for what we find within it is the account of a man who was blind from birth and who was perhaps laid at the gate of the Temple of the Lord to ask for alms or perhaps was helped to that place as he would himself walk but leaning on another. Is it possible that this man who was born blind was indeed present at one gate which would lead unto the Temple while the man who was born lame was at another gate? What’s more is I can’t help but wonder how many gates there were at the Temple itself. What’s more is not only am I wondering how many gates would lead up unto the Temple of the living God but how many of those who were in need were laid at the gates leading unto the Temple. How many men and women might very well have been outside the gates of the Temple asking for alms as men and women would go up unto the Temple to worship before the living God? Scripture reveals how the man who was born blind would indeed be present outside the Temple as Jesus and His disciples departed and how the man who was lame from his mother’s womb would indeed be laid at the gate called Beautiful daily that he might ask for alms.

Oh I continue to be absolutely gripped and captivated with and by the fact of how many men and women would go and come up to the Temple to worship the living God with their tithes and offerings and would and could not be bothered with either of these men. There were none who would or could offer these men that which would truly minister unto them. At the gate called Beautiful there was a man who was lame from his mother’s womb while perhaps at another gate there was one who was blind from his mother’s womb. This quite possibly suggests that there were at least two gates leading up into the Temple that would have one who was in need outside that gate asking and begging for alms. Oh I do believe there were perhaps those who would be moved with compassion and would actually give alms unto these two individuals, however, I would dare say a vast majority of those who would go up unto the Temple would wither completely and utterly ignore these two men who were in need or would perhaps enter in another way. Unwilling to be bothered or inconvenienced by these two man and their needs such men and women would enter into the Temple an entirely different way that they might worship without and apart from inconvenience. WORSHIP WITHOUT INCONVENIENCE! WORSHIP WITHOUT INTERRUPTION! Oh this is something we must needs recognize and understand for whether is the greater sacrifice and offering—the tithes and offering you give in the Temple itself or that which you give unto those who are in need outside the Temple? We have been taught to think and believe that what we give and what we present in the house of God is the greater sacrifice and offering and yet I would dare say that what we give outside the house of God unto those who are in need is the greater sacrifice. With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the Old Testament book of Psalms as well as the prophetic literature—even that which is found in the Old Testament book of First Samuel—concerning the delight of God in those things which are greater than sacrifice and offering:

“Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as In obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:22-23).

“Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6;6-8).

“For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt despise” (Psalm 51:16-17).

“Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; Give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? Saith the LORD: I am full of the burn offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1;10-18).

“A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: IF then I be a father, where is mine honour? And if I be a master, where is my fear? Saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? IN that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it now unto thy for over; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? Saith the LORD of hosts. And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? Saith the LORD of hosts. Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? Neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept and offering at your hand. For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible. Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! And ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye have brought that which was torn, and the l are, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? Saith the LORD. But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the LORD a corrupt thing: For I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen” (Malachi 1:6-14).

The words which we find within these passages must needs be carefully considered—particularly the words which are found in the Old Testament prophetic book of Micah—for through this ancient Hebrew prophet the Lord declare unto His people that which was good. The prophet Micah would ask with what he would come before the LORD and with what he would bow himself before the most high God. The prophet Micah would also ask if he should come before him with burnt offerings and with calves of a year old. The prophet Micah would ask if the LORD would be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Moreover the prophet Micah would also ask if he would give his firstborn for his transgression—the fruit of his body for the sin of his soul. This would be immediately followed by the prophet declaring what the LORD declared was good and what the LORD required of men—namely to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with one’s God. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for it calls and draws our attention to something else even greater—something which is found in the New Testament epistle written by James. There is something incredibly unique and powerful about the words which are found in the second chapter of the New Testament epistle which was written by James for the words found and contained there call and draw our attention to the incredible need we have to be those who are selfless, sacrificial, compassionate and giving. I continue to be absolutely gripped and captivated with and by that which is the greater sacrifice before and unto the living God—the giving of our tithes and offerings before and unto the LORD or the giving of ourselves and perhaps even of our resources before and unto those who are in need. I find myself being absolutely and incredibly gripped and captivated with this for undoubtedly those who went up to the Temple to give their tithes and offerings thought and believed they were giving the greater sacrifice and offering by giving their tithes and offerings and yet the truth of the matter is that the greater gift and offering would be giving unto those who were in need. Oh with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the second chapter of the epistle written by James beginning with the first verse:

“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou s halt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment” (James 2:1-13).

“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto him, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath. Not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I hav works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see them how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:14-26).

It is absolutely necessary we recognize and pay close attention to the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for within it we find James writing concerning partiality and favoritism among ourselves within the house of the living God. James believed that if we indeed showed partiality and favoritism within the house of the living God unto those whom we deemed as being qualified and worthy then we were guilty of a form of judgment which is contrary to the royal law of the living God—namely, loving our neighbor as ourselves. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous truth that is found within the ninth chapter of the gospel narrative written by the apostle John as well as the third chapter of the New Testament book of Acts. There is a great need for us to recognize and pay close attention to the words presented in both of these chapters for I am absolutely and completely convinced there were men and women who knew this man who was born blind as well as this man who was lame from birth would indeed be outside the Temple of the living God. They knew that there were two different gates where there were two individuals who were in need and who would ask and beg for alms of them. There is not a doubt in my mind there were men and women who did not want to be inconvenience or interrupted in their worship before and unto the living God and completely and utterly ignored these two who were in need. What’s more is I would dare say there were those who would deliberately and intentionally enter in to the Temple another way that they might not have to deal with these two men who were clearly in need and who would ask for alms. The parable which Jesus spoke concerning the good Samaritan is something we must needs recognize and understand for I am convinced that just as the priest and the Levite passed by on the other side of the road rather than stopping to help this man who was stripped, beaten and left for dead. Oh consider now if you will the following words which are found in the first ten verses of the third chapter concerning the apostles Peter and John encountering this man who was lame from birth, who was laid at the gate called Beautiful on a daily basis and who was healed in the name and by faith in the name of the Lord Jesus:

“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, 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. 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 he 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” (Acts 3:1-10).

The more I read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture the more I am brought face to face with the absolutely incredible truth that not only was this man lame from birth but he was also laid at the gate called Beautiful day in and day out. The sole purpose of this man who was lame from the womb being laid at the gate called Beautiful was that he might ask alms of the worshippers who would go up unto the Temple to bring their tithes and offerings unto the living God. With this being said I find it absolutely incredible to think about and consider the fact that within this passage we find an incredibly powerful indictment against many who would seek to go up to the house of the Lord to “worship” the living God. I can’t help but think about how many men and women would indeed go up unto the house of the living God to indeed and would in fact “worship” the living God and yet have absolutely no room, no space nor any capacity to truly worship the Father the way He desires. There is something absolutely wonderful about the words presented in this passage of Scripture as it calls and draws our attention to the incredible truth surrounding those who would seek to go up to the house of the Lord to worship before Him and yet have absolutely no room nor any capacity to give of themselves to those whom they might encounter along the way. I can’t help but wonder how many worshippers would go up unto the house of the LORD on a daily basis to bring their gifts and their offerings unto the LORD and would see this particular man sitting at the gate called Beautiful. What’s more is that Scripture seems to suggest that there might very well have been two individuals who had an infirmity from the time of their birth who were sitting outside the Temple of the Lord in the midst of Jerusalem. The ninth chapter of the gospel narrative written by the apostle John and the third chapter of the book of Acts describe two men who both suffered from an infirmity from the time of their birth and who would perhaps ask and beg for alms of those who would go up into the temple of the LORD to worship before Him in His courts.

I read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture and can’t help but think about the fact that this man who was lame from his mother’s womb was above forty years old which means that he was in fact born before the Messiah and Christ entered and came into the world. The simple fact that Luke writes how this man was above forty years old suggests that this man was born into the world lame and suffered from that condition before the Messiah and Christ would Himself be born into the world. What’s more is that not only was this man born lame before the Messiah and the Christ would come into the world but He would continue to suffer and struggle with that condition even while the Messiah was present in the midst of the earth. This man was lame from his mother’s womb and continued to suffer and struggle with that condition while the Messiah and Christ was present in the earth and I can’t help but wonder if there weren’t times when Jesus and His disciples passed by him when they went up to the Temple. With this being said it’s interesting to note that while the man who was born blind would indeed receive sight during the days of the Messiah as Jesus was make clay, anoint his eyes and instruct him to go and wash this man would continue to remain in his condition. What makes this even more intriguing when you take the time to think about it is that although this man would not be healed of his infirmity during the days in which the Messiah and Christ would walk upon the earth he would nonetheless receive that healing during the days of the apostles and the days of the Holy Spirit. How absolutely incredible it is to think about the fact that this man was in fact the first recorded miracle which took place during the days of the Holy Spirit and after the day of Pentecost was fully come. It might very well be possible that there were other miracles which would in fact have taken place during those days, however, this man was the first recorded miracle which was presented within the book of Acts written by the beloved physician Luke.

If there is one thing I find absolutely incredible when reading the gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke as well as the New Testament book of Acts it’s how a physician who would have undoubtedly been very familiar with medicine and “science” would write about something that was antithetical and paradoxical to everything he had taught and had given himself to. This physician would indeed write a gospel account of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ and would write of the Messiah and Christ who would heal many of their sicknesses, their diseases, their infirmities and that which plagued their physical bodies. What’s more is he would even write of the woman with the issue of blood who had spent all she had consulting with physicians to help cure her condition and instead of growing better would become worse. Imagine being a physician and writing how there was one who spent all she had consulting with other physicians seeking to be made whole and cured of the plague within her physical body and yet the physicians could not heal or make her whole. This woman would merely come behind Jesus and touch the hem of His garment and immediately the flow of blood within her physical body would be stayed and she would not only be healed but she would also be cleansed according to the Law of Moses. Oh there is something we must needs recognize and understand when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding this physician who would write an entire gospel of the healings, the miracles and the signs and wonders Jesus did and would now write another book about the healings, the miracles, the signs and wonders the apostles and the early church would do during the days of the Holy Spirit. How absolutely incredible it is when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture are for although this man might not have experienced healing during the days of the Lord Jesus Christ he would find his healing during the days of the Holy Spirit.

HEALING DURING THE DAYS OF THE SON! HEALING DURING THE DAYS OF THE SPIRIT! There is not a doubt in my mind that although Jesus healed many infirmities, diseases, sicknesses and the like there were those who weren’t healed during the days of the Son. Although Jesus opened the eyes of many, although Jesus caused many of the lame to walk and rise again, although Jesus opened the deaf ears of many, and although Jesus healed and made whole many individuals there were and there would have been those who did not experience healing during the days of the Son. This is something we must needs understand for it brings us face to face with the timing and divine will of the eternal and living God. This man who was born lame from his mother’s womb would suffer from that condition from a time even before the Messiah and Christ would be present upon the earth and would even suffer and struggle with it during the days of the Messiah and Christ. Undoubtedly this man would have been laid at the gate called Beautiful at the Temple during the days of Jesus the Messiah and Christ and yet he would not experience healing within his physical body. It would not be until after Jesus had suffered in the flesh, after Jesus had been crucified, after Jesus had been raised from death to life, after Jesus had ascended unto the right hand of the Father and after the Holy Spirit had indeed come and been manifested within the earth that this man would finally receive healing within his physical body.

If there is one thing I absolutely love within this passage of Scripture it’s that this man supposed the apostles Peter and John would have given him alms and yet they would declare unto him that they did not have silver and gold. Despite the fact they did not have silver and gold they had something that was of far greater worth and value than silver and gold. These men who had walked with, followed and been with Jesus would offer this man something that was far greater than gold or silver for they would declare unto them, saying, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” The apostles Peter and John would then take him by the right hand and lifted him up and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. This man leaping up stood, and walked and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. What makes this truly incredible when you take the time to think about it is the fact that this miracle would take place outside the Temple of the living God and the witness and testimony of the miracle would be experienced in the Temple. How absolutely incredible it is to read the words found in this passage of Scripture and consider how this man was laid outside the Temple at the gate called Beautiful and would beg alms on a daily basis and yet when he received his healing he would still be outside the Temple. It’s absolutely astonishing to think about the fact that the apostles Peter and John didn’t bring this man into the Temple and there in the courts of the Temple and there in the Temple would be able to heal this man. This man didn’t need to be in the Temple of the living God in order to receive his healing for he would be healed outside the Temple and would then enter into the Temple as living, breathing walking miracle in the sight and presence of others. What makes this all the more intriguing when you take the time to think about it is that not only was this man a living, breathing and walking miracle in the sight and hearing of those who were present in the midst of it but also the apostles themselves would be a witness unto the Pharisees and the religious system of that day.

As I prepare to bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely incredible to think about and consider the tremendous language that is found within this passage of Scripture for this man who received healing would indeed be a witness and testimony unto all those who were present in the Temple yet he would not be the only testimony that was present within the Temple on that particular day. If you continue reading in the fourth chapter of this same New Testament book you will find that as the apostles Peter and John spoke unto the people the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them grieved that they taught the people and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. What’s more is they would lay hands on them and put them in the hold unto the next day—this after a miracle had been performed in the name of Jesus and after they had preached the name of Jesus unto those who were present during those days. Luke writes how many of them which heard the word which they preached believed and the number of the men was about five thousand. On the following day the rulers, the elders, the scribes, Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others who were of the kindred of the high priest gathered together at Jerusalem and asked them by what power or what name they had done this. Peter—being filled with the Holy Ghost—began speaking unto them of their being examined of them because of the good deed done to this impotent man and by what means he was made whole. The apostle Peter would declare unto them that it was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom they crucified, whom God raised from the dead this man stood before them made completely land utterly whole. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for when you continue reading the words found in this chapter you will find all those who were gathered together at the temple seeing the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men and marveled. What’s more is they too knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus and beheld the man which was healed standing with them and could say nothing against it.

There is a great and wonderful need to recognize and pay close attention to these words and how absolutely incredible it truly is for there were indeed two witnesses which were present in Jerusalem during this time. There was in fact the witness of this man who was healed and made whole which they could not deny or dispute and there was indeed the witness and testimony of the apostles themselves. There was the witness of this particular man who was healed who had been lame from the time of birth and yet stood there completely whole and healed before them all. With this being said there was the witness of the apostles themselves and the boldness which Peter and John exhibited and exercised during those days. The religious and political leaders of that day perceived and observed that they were unlearned and ignorant men and marveled and took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. What a truly wonderful and powerful truth is found in this passage of Scripture for not only was the witness of this man who was born lame and yet stood with the apostles completely and utterly healed and made whole but there was also the witness of the boldness of the apostles Peter and John and the witness of their having been with Jesus. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it brings us face to face with the awesome and wonderful truth that not only can healing take place outside of the house of God and the church but that work which the Spirit did outside the church can in fact enter into the church as a witness and testimony unto those inside. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this there would be those who seem to think that healing, signs, wonders and miracles can and should take place in the church and house of God alone and this simply is not the case. This man who was lame from his mother’s womb would indeed be healed and made whole in the strength and power of the name of the Lord Jesus and through faith in His name.

I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the narratives of these two men—both who were born with a specific condition. In the ninth chapter of the gospel narrative written by the apostle John we find this man who was born blind while in the third chapter of the New Testament book of Acts we find this man who was born blind. Of course I realize and recognize that during these days there was nothing such as ultrasounds which could be performed to monitor the growth and condition of the child growing within the womb. I also recognize and understand that there was absolutely no way for either of the mothers who were carrying the child to know the condition of their child until they actually came forth from the womb. Imagine what these mothers thought when they gave birth to their child and the one realized their child was blind while the other realized their child was lame. What’s more is I can’t help but think about another child who was born both blind and deaf in our modern generation—a child by the name of Helen Keller. Stop and consider what would have happened if these mothers had indeed chosen to abort these children in the womb before they were permitted to enter into the world. In recent days the 1973 Supreme Court Decision Roe v. Wade was overturned by the present Supreme Court which effectively transitioned abortion rights back to the state. With this being said there are and there have been a lot of individuals who have been incensed and outraged at this decision as countless pro-choice individuals, companies, corporations, government officials and even the White House itself has expressed a great disdain and disgust for this. What’s more is there have been countless individuals who have used abortion as a means to terminate the life of one growing in the womb if it was determined the child would in fact be brought forth with some type of defect, deformity, malady, condition, etc. There was even a woman who recently took to the news and mentioned special needs individuals and used them in the context of supporting abortion stating the tremendous weight and burden they placed on the mother, on the father and upon the family itself. This woman had the audacity to use abortion as means to justify the killing of the innocent life within the womb simply out of convenience.

I read the words which are found within these passages of Scripture and I can’t help but think about the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding these two men who were both born with a condition. That one who received healing during the days of Jesus was born blind and it was Jesus Himself who declared that he was not born blind as a direct result of the sin of his parents nor the sin of himself. Jesus emphatically stated that this man was born blind that the works and glory of the living God might be manifested within his life. Although it was not stated in the third chapter of the New Testament book of Acts I would dare say that such was also the case of the man who was born lame from the womb of his mother. Neither Peter nor John declared that this man was born lame that the works and glory of God might be made manifest within his life, however, this man would experience the divine healing of the eternal God within his physical body. Pause for a moment and consider the fact that both of these men were indeed born with conditions which had they been diagnosed through ultrasound technology during our generation might have been aborted by the mother. With that being said, however, there is one thing we must needs take into consideration and that is how many countless lives have been destroyed within the womb which might very well have been destined to experience the manifestation of the works of the living God. Each of these men were born with a physical condition that if diagnosed during our generation would have caused the mother to abort the child within the womb. Pause and think about this for a minute as one of the greatest arguments for abortion in our generation is indeed convenience when parents discover that the child growing within the womb of the mother will be brought into the world with a certain defect and condition. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for I am absolutely convinced there have been countless infants whose lives have been completely and utterly destroyed prematurely within the womb in the name of convenience. There would be mothers within this generation who would indeed justify the abortion of such infants within the womb simply because the mother did not want to deal with the burden of having a child with such a condition.

If there is one thing we must needs recognize and understand it’s the divine purpose of the living God from before the child was conceived within the womb and even when the child is being knit together within the womb of the mother. It was the living God who declared unto Jeremiah that before he was conceived and knit together within the womb of his mother he knew him and ordained him to be a prophet unto the nations. What’s more is it was David who declared that he was fearfully and wonderfully made and knit together in the secret place of the womb of his mother who had conceived and brought him forth. One thing abortion has never taken into consideration nor will ever take into consideration is the divine will and plan the living God has for that child should they be allowed to be brought forth into the world and actually allowed to live their life. Even though they might have been conceived and brought forth with some type of condition that might be incredibly difficult for the parent(s) that child might very well be destined to experience a tremendous manifestation of the works and glory of the living God. Both this man who was born blind and this man who was born lame were destined to experience the glory of the living God within their lives as the one would experience healing during the days of the Son while the other would experience healing during the days of the Spirit. We are in fact living in the days of the Spirit and I can’t help but think about how many countless infants have been denied the opportunity to experience the manifestation of the works of the living God within their lives. How many countless lives have been denied the ability to experience the work of the Holy Spirit as they were ordained and appointed to experience the divine glory of the living God within and through their lives? I am sitting here today thinking about and considering this and what the gospels would have looked like if abortion were at all a possibility and if the mother who conceived this child who was born blind could have chosen abortion instead of bringing him into the world. What would the book of Acts have looked like if this man who was born blind would have been aborted in the womb of his mother?

There is perhaps no greater argument for life than the demonstration and manifestation of the eternal and living God. What’s more is that we must needs recognize and understand that before any child or life was conceived within the womb the eternal Father knew that life and began fashioning it within the womb. What’s more is we must needs consider that when abortion is indeed conducted and completed it is essentially placing oneself in the role and office of the living God and emphatically stating that He has no authority to continue forming and fashioning that life. For the mother who makes the decision to abort the child she is stepping into the role of the living God and exercising her own will above that of the eternal and living God. For the doctor who chooses to use science to complete the abortion they are stepping into the role of the living God by bringing forth death when the living God would have brought forth life. Those who choose abortion are in essence interrupting the creation of the living God within the womb and are setting themselves up as God determining what should and shouldn’t take place. Imagine what would and could have happened if when the living God was creating the heavens and the earth someone thought they could step into the picture and effectively take the hands of the living God off of that which was being formed and created. The single greatest struggle I have with abortion is that the mother who chooses abortion over life is exercising her will above that of the living God’s and determining that she herself gets to choose whether or not life or death is acceptable. Not to mention the doctor who chooses to exercise medicine and science to bring about the abortion and death of that child growing within the womb is setting themselves up as God in the place of the living God and using their own hands to destroy that life which the living God was Himself forming and fashioning. What a tremendous tragedy this truly is when you take the time to think about it for that doctor who chooses to carry out the abortion is in essence stepping in front of and in the place of God, making the declaration that God has to take his hands off the child and that their will and their practice is of greater importance.

The more I think about this particular reality the more I am confronted with the fact that those who are somehow offended with the decision of the Supreme Court are indeed and in fact placing themselves in the place and role of God. Such individuals would argue and contend that they themselves are the sole authority on who gets to live and who doesn’t and argue this on the basis of human rights and freedoms. This is an incredibly dangerous and tragic place to be in for one dare not and ought not seek to set themselves up in the place of God for this is precisely what caused Lucifer to be exiled and banished from heaven. Lucifer thought he could be like the most High God and even thought he could set himself up in the place of the living God and as a direct result of this would find himself contending with the living and eternal God. What’s more is Lucifer even gathered a third of the angelic host to his side and to his cause and thought that he could indeed lead an insurrection against the one true and living God. In all reality this is precisely what is happening today in this generation as there are countless individuals who are setting themselves up as God in the place of God and are even leading others in an insurrection against God. The protests for abortion and those who would call themselves “Pro-choice” and would dare “Shout your abortion” are actually nothing more than insurrectionists who are following in the steps of their father who was a murderer from the beginning. What’s more is they are liars and deceivers who are following in the footsteps of their father who is not only a deceiver but the father of lies. Just as Cain killed Abel so these individuals would take the life of innocent children within the womb and would argue they are completely and utterly justified in doing so. This is and has been an incredibly dangerous precedent for deliberately and intentionally choosing abortion is in fact setting oneself up as God—and not only setting oneself up as God but also choosing to exercise their own will above that of the eternal and living God’s. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for there is something truly indicting about those who would think they can somehow be the authority on whether or not unborn infants within the wombs of their mothers truly have the chance to live.

In all reality I would dare say that life begins the moment the egg is fertilized by the sperm and especially after the pregnancy test shows positive. What’s more is I would dare say that regardless of what type of condition the child might be born with and/or regardless of what type of issues the unborn infant might have we don’t have the ability nor do we have the authority and say on whether or not they are able to live. This man who was born blind and this man who was born lame might have been aborted had they been conceived within the wombs of their mothers today and had that been done they would have been stripped, robbed and denied of their appointment with the glory of God and the manifestation of the works of the living God. I am absolutely convinced there is not a single individual on the face of this plant who has the right and/or authority to make a decision on whether or not the unborn infant within them gets to live or die. What’s more is any mother who chooses to abort that life growing within them simply because they don’t want to carry it, or because they don’t want to parent it are in all reality thinking about themselves. Such is nothing more than a potential picture into the mother always putting themselves first rather than the child and living their lives to satisfy their own needs, their own pleasures, their own desires, etc. Of course I do realize that there are women who have had an abortion who have gotten pregnant again and have conceived a child or children and have been a wonderful mother to their child and/or children. I must needs say that such is the except to the rule and not the rule itself. There are countless who would argue abortion solely on the basis of convenience and choice rather than actually upon love, compassion, selflessness, grace, mercy and all those virtues we would want exercised unto us. If the words of Jesus are in fact true and we are to do unto others as we would have them do unto us then what is to be said of that mother who chooses to abort the life growing within their womb simply because they don’t have the desire to parent the child or because the child will be brought into he world with some type of defect and issue? What is to be said of that mother who chooses to end life rather than allowing life to be conceived and brought forth assuming the words of Jesus concerning doing unto others as you would have them do unto you do in fact hold true?

I would dare argue and contend that were these two men—that one who was born blind and that one who was born lame from their mother’s womb—aborted within the womb of their mother rather than brought forth into the earth they would have both been robbed the opportunity to experience the manifestation of the works and glory of the living God. This is something we have a great need to think about and consider for in choosing to end life within the womb we are not only ending and destroying the life within that womb but we are also robbing them of the chance to experience life in this world and the manifestation of the glory and works of the living God. I can’t help but wonder how many countless millions of lives have been robbed of life over the past nearly fifty years—and not only how many lives have been robbed of life but how many have been denied the chance and opportunity to experience the manifestation of the works and glory of the living God. If there is one thing we must needs recognize it’s that we have a responsibility and a decision to choose life and that we dare not and must not set ourselves up in the place of God and must not seek to exercise our own will, our own desires, our own agenda, our own plans above that of the living God’s. We have indeed and have in fact been called to be those who not only create life but also those who choose life and never set ourselves up in a place where we step in between the living God and creation. Those who choose abortion—whether the mother who chooses to abort the child or the doctor who actually carries out the abortion—are playing a dangerous game in stepping into the place of God and stepping in between the living God and creation. There is something we must acknowledge during these days and that is how we have in fact been called to choose life and ought not and should not be those who ever choose death over life—especially in the name of science and convenience.