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When we look at this story, it is interesting to note the lame man, and maybe think about his situation.

Firstly, he was lame from Birth. He had spent his whole life 'being carried' - he had never, ever been able to walk. This would have not only been a burden on him - but his whole family. If you think about Jewish custom at the time, if something was to 'go wrong' with you or your family - it was 'because of sin'. I can imagine his parents would have faced at a minimum looks from others - or even accusations - that their son was born lame because of sin in their lives. We don't hear anything about the parents at all - which means it is not important - and i will explain why further.

This was a pivotal point in the ministry of the apostles - Jesus and his crucifixion would still be fresh in everyones lives - one could even say that if this poor guy was at the temple 'every day', he probably even saw Jesus during his time - and Jesus saw him - yet - he wasn't healed at that time. So why?

Why was this guy born lame? Why did he live that life of suffering and embarrassment, begging at the temple gate his whole life?

I'm only taking a shot at this - but he was there that there could be no argument over the power of Jesus that was given to the apostles, and to all Christians. Every person who goes to the temple with any regularity will know this guy - he was there all the time - they all have seen him, many would have thrown him a coin at one time or another. Now - despite having never learned to walk in his life - he ups and walks in with the apostles, having been healed a moment before.

This is no 'snake oil' salesman plant of someone healed - this is a person who is well known in his community for being lame - from birth. And yet they all now witness the power of God through his miraculous healing - and KNOW that it is him, therefore KNOW that the miracle is true - and are left to ask 'what is my response to this'??

So that is why - there was a reason to his life - there was a reason he was lame for so long, in the place he was. But thanks to God that he was able to be healed, and to see redemption in his lifetime.

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