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On today's tapestry, we see this amazing story depicted with Peter and John between the two columns with the lame man (soon to be the formerly lame man) on the ground before them. The man asked for money here every day from those going into the temple. He wasn't asking for healing, though that was his greater need.
Why was that? Perhaps he was discouraged. Perhaps he didn't believe it could happen. Perhaps he was living too much in survival mode to think past his immediate need of money for food and shelter. However, the reality remained that the man needed healing. So when Peter and John saw him that day, though they couldn't give him what he was asking, they were able to give him what he needed much more. Through his physical healing, he could work and live a life where he wouldn't need to beg to have his basic needs provided by others. How amazing!
But you know what is more amazing? The man's healing still isn't even the greatest need present in this scene. Take a look at the tapestry. You don't just see the disciples and the lame man in the center. Look behind them and to the left. You'll see many people going about their daily business. They represent the greatest need in this scene. The greatest need present in this scene is for all the people around to hear the Gospel, including the lame man. There is a spiritual need much deeper than one man's need for sustenance or for healing. Remember, even though this man was physically healed that day, he did indeed die one day. Even the most miraculous physical healing is ultimately in vain if the Gospel is not shared leading to spiritual healing of the heart in salvation. Even when our physical bodies die, our spirit lives on eternally in heaven or in hell. This eternal nature of our spirits makes this healing far more important, and this is exactly how the Lord worked in the scene. Through the healing of the lame man, God opened up a door for Peter and John to share the truth about Jesus with the crowds. Following the verses we already read today, the Scripture says this about the reaction to the lame man's healing:
"And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him."
(Acts 3:9-10)
The disciples then diagnosed this as an amazing opportunity to address the crowds, and Peter began doing so in verse 12, sharing an amazing message about who Jesus is and calling the people to repent so they could be forgiven and reunited with God: their greatest need.
Remember what the true greatest needs of others are. By all means, let us meet lesser and immediate needs whenever we can, but may we not miss the opportunities this may open up to speak to someone's deeper and truest need.
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