And all the people saw him walking and praising God: (10) And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
There is somewhat particularly affecting, in what is said, of the healed cripple holding fast the garments of his benefactors: clinging to them, as we may suppose, not only to manifest his attachment to their persons, for the mercy he had received, through their hands; but also to hear more of Him, by whose sovereign and Almighty name he had found a cure! But, Reader! with what holy ardor doth a soul, truly saved in Christ, follow Jesus in the regeneration, and cleave to Him, because he then knows him to be his life. He feels, and is conscious, of his daily need of Jesus; he is convinced that every act of faith, and love, can only be kept alive, by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. See Deuteronomy 10:20; Psalms 89:16; Hosea 14:8; Psalms 71:15-16; Acts 11:23
Perhaps the Reader will think with me, what a wonderful effect also, was wrought upon the minds of the whole neighbourhood who knew this cripple from his birth, or at least for a long time; when they saw him, after forty years total infirmity, now leaping and walking. What views must they have had of the poor Apostles! And what greater apprehensions of the person and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ! But, Reader! cannot you and I, bear testimony to the word of the Lord's grace, in a much greater demonstration of the sovereign power of Jesus; in a spiritual recovery, to the crippled, yea, the dead faculties of our souls? Yes! if so be the Lord himself hath opened the eyes of our understanding, or our deaf ears to discipline: hath given strength to the feet and ankle-bones of our spirits, in enabling us to run the way of his commandments, having set our souls at liberty! Here is a subject of still greater astonishment, when grace hath passed upon the heart, and that gracious prophecy concerning the Lord Jesus, is fulfilled: Behold, your God will come and save you! then the eyes of the blind shall he opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped: the lame man shall leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing, Isaiah 35:1-6.