Leaping for Joy

                               

Leaping for Joy 

                  

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer.  And a

certain 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.  And when he saw Peter and John about to go into

the temple, he began asking to receive alms.  And Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze upon

him and said, “Look at us!”  And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive 

something from them.  But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have

I give to you “In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene - walk!”  And seizing him by the right

hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened.  And with a

leap, he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and

leaping and praising God.  And all the people saw him walking and praising God.

                                                                                                                                   

 I remember the day Jesus came into my heart.  My priest prayed for me for a long time and then

 he quietly left the church.  I prayed ever so long at the altar after he left.  Jesus gently took my

 soul and restored me.  My soul was as equally as crippled as the man sitting at the gate.  My

 friends had taken me to the temple for healing.  What a blessing to have friends who recognized

 the condition of our soul and lead us to the Savior. After receiving Christ I well remember my

transformation.  Not only was it spiritual but also physical. I felt as if I was walking on tip toes for eons.  I well can relate to the man in scripture when with a leap he stood upright.  My joy was so deep it was evident to those around me.  The first time I saw my sister-in-law, she asked  “what are you on now?” Formerly I had been on tranquilizers and beer.  Joyfully I could tell her Jesus had become my Savior.  Some of us are so crippled our first instinct is to leap for joy when Jesus enters our life.  The blessing for us it is so real we leap for joy the rest of our lives.