Session 3

What is ugly is made beautiful

From Acts: A 28-Day Devotional

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Peter heals a lame beggar and a crowd quickly gathers. Peter explains that healing comes from God and encourages the crowd to repent.

In Acts 3, Peter and John met a beggar who sat in close proximity to the temple at a gate called “Beautiful.” Everyone knew the beggar at the Beautiful Gate because he had begged there for many years. This man sat a few feet from what should have been a house of healing, unable to enter because the sick and broken were unwelcome in this temple. This man watched for years as healthy temple-goers walked inside to worship and pray. Looking at the condition of the beggar, the term “beautiful” would seem pretty ironic.

Where do you see yourself in this story? Perhaps you identify with the beggar — spiritually and emotionally broken. You’ve been stuck in the same place for weeks, months or maybe years. Others call your situation normal, reinforcing your cynicism. You know deep down that definitive change is needed, but how?

Or perhaps you identify with those walking by the beggar. You know something should be done, but what? What can one person do? What can one church do?

No matter where you find yourself in the story, know that hope is found in the name of Jesus. Through Him, healing happens, religion evaporates, communities transform, and lives completely change. Through Jesus, what is broken is made whole and what is ugly is made beautiful.

Reflect:

• What does this passage teach us about God? How does it apply to you?
• Are there any broken areas of your life that you have accepted as normal? What’s one step you can take today to begin healing?
• In Acts 3:11, the beggar held on to Peter and John as they stood by him. Who do you hold on to in times of need? Do you have friends who will help you follow Jesus?