No Longer A Beggar

Historical fiction

Jacob woke early while it was yet dark. Light was just starting to stream through the one small open window of their two-room house built of stone and mud. Soon, he could hear his aging mother and father’s scurrying feet on the dirt floor as they prepared to get him up. Jacob was thankful for and proud of his parents, who had loved him and taken care of him from birth because he had been born lame. Because they loved him, they had also taught his brothers to love him.

Now they came to help him get dressed in his tunic (undergarment) and the mantle over it, with a girdle or belt around his waist. As they ate the morning meal of vegetables and bread together, they talked about the day ahead. His father would go to his potter’s shop, where he conducted his business as a skilled potter. His mother would stay home cleaning the house, washing clothes, cooking, and doing other domestic duties.

But Jacob’s day was different. Soon, they would call his brothers who lived nearby. They would put him on a unique bed made for carrying him. Then, his three brothers and father would take him to the temple and set him down by the gate called Beautiful. This is where crowds of people came daily at the time of prayer. Jacob was a beggar. Begging was his way of contributing to the family’s meager income. Because he was lame, religious authorities excluded him from entering the temple, but he could watch all the others enter and leave.

He had experienced a life of this same routine every day, always hoping that someone would be a benefactor for him to improve his life and his family’s life. But that didn’t happen. He had heard of Jesus and his healing power. But Jesus had never stopped to heal him. He had also learned of Jesus’ crucifixion. So, all hope of being healed by Jesus was gone. Then he heard the astonishing story that Jesus arose from the dead and even that he had ascended into heaven. Would any of these facts ever help him?

Oh, well! He must carry on, always hoping but never realizing his hopes.

But this day seemed different for some reason. He anticipated this day with hope and expectancy. Yet he had felt this way before, but nothing had happened.

The day proceeded as usual, with a few passers-by dropping money into his cup. He was thankful. Every bit helped. Two men approached him now at the ninth hour (about 3 in the afternoon). They were husky-like working men and bearded but probably had no money to give. The biggest man (Jacob found out later that his name was Peter) said commandingly, “Look on us.”: He looked and hoped for money. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have, give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). Then he took Jacob’s right hand and lifted him. He was scared. If Peter let go of him, Jacob would fall. But he didn’t.

Immediately, Jacob felt strength coming into his feet and ankles. He had never felt that way all of his life. Excitement filled his soul and body. He couldn’t help himself. Now, he could stand and walk. (Can you imagine what it would be like to suddenly walk, as an adult, when you had never walked before?). Jacob walked with Peter and John into the temple. Never had he been allowed to enter the temple before. He couldn’t stop leaping and praising God. He was now free from the bed and the inactivity of the past. He could take care of himself. His thankfulness and praise to God and the Messiah knew no bounds.

No more daytime bed, no more dependence on parents and brothers. No more pitying looks from those who saw him. Now, Jacob could stand, walk, leap, run, get a job, support himself, and go where he wanted independently. He could also go into the temple. His parents and brothers were very thankful and excited for him.

But there is more. He had now trusted Jesus as Messiah. Jesus was his Savior and Lord. He was eager to help Peter and the disciples spread the gospel. He was lame, but now he could walk.

He was a walking miracle around Jerusalem. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people had seen him crippled and lying near the temple begging for money. Now that was past. People saw him standing and walking around. Peter and John made it clear that they had healed Jacob by the power of the crucified and risen Christ. As a result of God’s work in him, and Peter’s message, many thousands more came to know and worship the Messiah. (Acts 4:4).

The religious leaders were stymied. They couldn’t dispute the healing of this man over 40 years old. Later, they accused the apostles of filling Jerusalem with their doctrine. (Acts 5:28). A wave of repentance and turning to Jesus swept the entire city of Jerusalem.

Jacob was thrilled and excited to be part of this great awakening of the Jews to seek and know the Messiah. He discovered he was saved to serve. Jacob praised the Lord for God’s work in himself and all over Jerusalem. He experienced the meaning of the words of this song, Springs of Living Water, by John W. Peterson.

I thirsted in the barren land of sin and shame,
And nothing satisfying there I found;
But to the blessed cross of Christ one day I came,
Where springs of living water did abound.

Drinking at the springs of living water,
Happy now am I, my soul they satisfy;
Drinking at the springs of living water,
O wonderful and bountiful supply.
O sinner, won’t you come today to Calvary?
A fountain there is flowing deep and wide;
The Saviour now invites you to the water free,
Where thirsting spirits can be satisfied.

And I echo this song’s invitation  Jesus can forgive you of your sin and heal your sin-sick soul crippled by the consequences of your sin. He can give you springs of living water in your soul. He can provide a “well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14). “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)

If you don’t know Jesus, you can accept Him today as your Savior from sin and hell. He loves you, will forgive you of your sin, and give you a new and different life now and throughout eternity. Make this vital decision today!