Key scripture – “While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade” (Acts 3:11 NIV).

As we join Peter and John, they had just met a beggar at the gate called Beautiful and we witness a miracle: a man crippled from birth is healed. After taking Peter’s hand, he is lifted to a place of wholeness, resulting in the ability to walk, jump and praise God!

“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him” (Acts 3:1-10 NIV).

Right after this amazing miracle is a verse that can easily be overlooked: “While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade” (Acts 3:11).

The words “held on to” in the Greek means, to take hold of, grasp, or hold fast. Since the beggar was healed and he could now walk, why was he holding on to Peter and John? Because, like us, this man needed someone to lean on.

I love this story in Acts because it points to a powerful truth: In order for us to move toward healing and wholeness in our lives, like the beggar, we need the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to set us free, and we will often need someone to hold on to. Nothing in this passage indicates that the beggar’s healing was incomplete because he needed to lean on someone. In fact, later in Acts, Peter reiterates that the man who was crippled was healed. Yet in his healing, he still needed a little help.

Sometimes in the Christian life, we’ll find ourselves in the position of the beggar, needing a Peter or John to support us so that we stay on our journey toward becoming more like Jesus and we don’t veer to the right or the left. Other times, we’ll be Peter and John, the shoulder that others need to lean on in order to find the strength to keep going.

Look around you. Who needs you today to be the shoulder of Jesus? Who needs a little support and help as they move forward on this road called life?

Let’s stand near and be that encouragement today. And if that someone who needs a little help is you, don’t be too hard on yourself, because even though the beggar had just experienced a miracle in his life, he still needed to hold on to someone.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, You promised us in Your Word that in this life we will have trouble and it comes in many different forms; family, health, financial, and work. Thank You that in our troubles You are always with us. Thank You for the brothers and sisters in Christ that You have blessed me with who have been there for me to hold on to like the beggar did with Peter and John. You have told us in Your Word that when we are there for each other we are like a strong cord that cannot be broken. “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Open the eyes of my heart and show me who You have put in my life that is weak and is starting to stumble and fall, and needs to hold on and lean on me. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.