Devotional Thought – Remembering The Unknown

13 Aug Devotional Thought – Remembering The Unknown

“And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple.” Acts 3:2

We’re not told. Luke does not give us the names of those who carried this man who had been lame from birth and laid him every day at the Beautiful Gate.  All that we’re told is that Peter and John found him and healed him where “they” had placed him.  That is both interesting and encouraging.  The main participants in this soul-stirring scene are the nameless men who brought him there that day.  Isn’t that the way it is so many times?  Those who do so much to bring the lame to the place of healing and help are nameless, known only to God?  Haven’t we all been carried along in our lives by unknown, obscure hands?  And when we pass through those beautiful gates do we stop to remember the debt that we owe to the unknown?  What about those, who like the angel Jacob met, bless us but refuse to give their names?  What about the fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers – strangers even – who helped us in those needed hours and days?

One of the things that has encouraged me in my walk and service to Jesus is to notice where the bible tells us that “they brought him to Jesus.” They? Who were they? What were their names?  Only God knows.  They didn’t sign in, leave a record or even a forwarding address.  They came, planted and went their way.  But as they departed, God watched, remembers and will reward them for their names are written in the Book of Life.  They are the celebrated unknown – at least to us.

O, that the Lord would help me to remember those who carried me to Him.  Those who left no record, made no monument, but simply and humbly brought me to the Beautiful Gate.  It would be easy to think that I am where I am because I worked, moved, brought myself, but I couldn’t.  I am where I am because of the unseen ones sent by Him.  Don’t ever let me become so proud as to think that I came to and through the Beautiful Gate by myself.  That’s why my greatest personal desire is to build on the fervent prayers, long nights and caring hands of hidden lives. The Lord healed me.  I’m no longer lame.  But the bed on which they carried me is still there beside the gate. May I never to forget those whose names I do not even know.