Beautiful

I was reading Acts chapter 3 this morning and a particular word in verse 2 caught my attention.

“And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple”

Acts 3:2

I was intrigued that the gate was called “Beautiful”, and made a note to learn more. The passage doesn’t tell us how long his friends had been bringing him here, but couldn’t help but wonder if it might have been months, possibly even years. I wondered, too, how many times the apostles or even possibly Jesus Himself might have passed by this same man in days gone by. What made this day different than any other, that he should receive healing now and not on other occasions in the past?

The story is a remarkable one, and I have a link for it below for anyone who may care to read it. The minute crowds saw this man leaping around on his previously lame feet, you can sense the buzz of excitement as they run and tell others, and a crowd begins to swarm around the apostles. It was in this moment that we see Peter give a very pointed, bold, and courageous sermon that struck right at the heart of those attending.

What was that gate called again? The question intruded my thoughts. Oh yes, it was called the Beautiful gate. Okay, now I’m distracted so I take a moment to do a bit of research. Here’s what I found out:

The Greek word used in this verse is Ὡραίαν, translated “hóraios”, and defined as seasonable or timely. Hmmm, I thought, that’s interesting! Common usages include: fair, beautiful, blooming.  One helpful word study I noted stated: hōraíos (from 5610 /hṓra, “an hour, the time of fulfillment”) – properly, a particular hour (a “season” of time); (figuratively) beautiful in timing, hence fruitful because fully developed.

Wow, now it makes more sense! The day this man received his healing was the right time, the right place, with the right people. Not only was it miraculous, but because of the timing it also gave opportunity for all those who gathered to hear not just piercing words but also words of redemption and grace. Had this man been healed at any other given time and by anyone else, that may not have happened. It truly is beautiful, because as a result, the miracle of physical healing turned out to be a far greater one that included spiritual healing as well, and not just for one but for many.

Are you praying for healing of any kind? May you be encouraged by this to keep praying, keep seeking, keep asking. Our great God, in His perfect timing, loves to give beauty-filled gifts to His children.

Click here to read the passage from Acts.

Be blessed.