Two men, a temple, and the ninth hour.
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. Acts 3:1
As you are reading through the books of Acts, you will come across this verse which you can give not much thought to. This verse is interesting in three different ways: two men, a temple, and the ninth hour.
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple…
Acts 3 is taking place within a couple months after Jesus’ ascension. Luke gives us a picture of Peter and John walking to the temple. Jesus also gave us a picture of two men in the temple. In Luke 18 we read about two men, a pharisee and tax collector, praying in the temple, which couldn’t be more opposite of each other.
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
The Pharisee who was a respected religious leader devoted to strict observance of the Law of Moses, which included tithing and fasting. His prayer is full of comparison, pride, and self-righteousness. The Tax Collector was a despised figure, who worked for the Roman Authorities. His prayer is simple and direct showing a posture of humility, repentance, and dependance on God’s mercy.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
…the Temple…
The Temple Peter and John were walking to is the same temple Jesus had cleansed that we read about in the Gospels. This was the central place of worship for the Jews in Jerusalem. When Jesus had arrived, it had been turned into a den of thieves. Money changers were ripping people off with excessive fees due to the fact that it was required to pay the temple tax with Jewish currency, instead of Roman coins. They sold animals for sacrifices at high cost, since people traveling from far distances could not bring their own animals for sacrifice. By doing this, they only burden the poor, exasperated their travels, and corrupted the place of worship. Jesus cleanses the Temple and restores it as a place of prayer and worship, fulfilling Psalm 69:9, “For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.” Jesus did not only show His authority by cleansing the Temple but also showed His compassion by healing the blind and the lame that came to Him in Temple. Peter and John would also heal a lame man in the Temple.
…the ninth hour.
The ninth hour is significant due to the fact that it is the same hour that Jesus dies on the cross. In Matthew 27:46 “… Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:50-54 continues on saying, “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” This symbolized the completeness of Jesus’ redemptive work and fulfilling of prophecy! It ushers out the Old Testament sacrificial system to the new covenant in Christ. The ninth hour represents God’s timing and redemption through the death of Christ and the miraculous acts of faith through miracles of healing.
In summary, this shows us that true righteousness comes from a repentant and humble heart, not from outward religious works or social appearance or approval. Let our worship be free of hypocrisy and full of honor and humility. And just as Peter and John were walking to the temple to pray, let us engage in prayer and reliance on God that is free from hypocrisy trusting in His timing.
