Holding Tight!
Today’s Verse:
And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. ~Matthew 8:10
A fun team sport that we do as groups is “tug of war.” Two sides of people hold opposite ends of a rope and pull. The side that wins is the one that pulls the hardest. Before the contest begins, team members on both sides are reminded by their team captain “to hold tight, dig their heels in, and not let go.” This morning, we see a man who demonstrates a strong spiritual principle about holding tight.
We see a condition.
“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.” This man was born lame. From the moment he entered this world through his mother’s womb, he was unable to walk. His legs were nothing but skin and bones. There was no muscle or sinew in his legs. He was dependent upon other people to carry him to the temple location called Beautiful to beg for alms. This man’s condition is a sad picture of people who are spiritually lame. It pictures a sinner who cannot do anything in his power to accomplish his salvation. It pictures the believer who is trying to live for God in his own power, or leaning on people who have no interest in his spiritual well-being.
We see a confrontation.
“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.” Peter and John were on their way to pray in the temple. They crossed paths with this man. You never know whom God will bring across your path. This man begged them for alms, but Peter told him, “I don’t have any money to give you, but such as I have give I thee.” Peter saw this man needed Jesus and wanted him to get saved. We have to remember that the death and resurrection of Christ was still fresh in the minds of the people in Jerusalem. Peter told this man that by the authority and power of the name of Christ, he could rise up and walk. Like this man, God confronts the sinner about his need of being saved. God also confronts every believer to let go their past, their paralysis, and their preferences, and lay hold of the authority that is found in the name of Jesus.
We see a conviction.
The man took Peter by the hand and immediately he received strength in his feet, ankles, and legs. He not only got up, but he leaped and walked. He moved just as if he had been walking and leaping all his life. People saw this amazing miracle and they ran together to see what happened. What they see was this man standing, smiling, and holding tight to Peter and John. This man pictures for us the conviction of holding tight. We must hold tight to our beliefs. Peter testified that this man’s faith made him perfectly sound. Don’t waiver about the doctrines of the Bible. We must hold tight to our blessings. This man unashamedly praised God in the presence of the people. As long as you live, praise the Lord! We must hold tight to our boldness. Later on, when Peter and John were pressured to deny their faith, we see this man standing alongside of them. He was bold in his faith. We must hold tight to our business. Our business is to preach the gospel and tell others that Jesus can save them.
We see a conqueror.
By the power of God, this man became a model conqueror. He followed Peter and John, was baptized, and became a member of the church at Jerusalem. I believe that this man became a model of great faith, boldness, and giving. In fact, he could have been one of the first to step out in these areas. Unless you hold tight, you will not be a conqueror.
It’s time to stop having a loose grip on spiritual things, and hold tight! It’s time to stop letting things slip through our hands and hold tightly to God’s power in our lives.
Have a firm God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Leviticus 14-15