It's interesting that she chose to illustrate the word 'beautiful', which was the name of the gate where the lame man sat every day. Here's what she said about it:
The picture shows an open gate. When Peter healed the lame beggar in the name of Jesus, the beggar could then walk, and the gate called Beautiful was opened to him.
I like the way she described how the gate was opened to him after he was healed. He not only could get up and walk, but more importantly, dignity was restored to him as he now could go through the gate and enter the temple to worship God with everyone else whereas he had not been allowed entry before due to his disability!
Perhaps the reason why the gate was called 'Beautiful' (Acts 3:2) was because one could enter in to "gaze on the beauty of the Lord and seek Him in His temple" (Psalm 27:4b).
It also reminded me of another gate - Jesus Himself! He said that He is the gate for the sheep (John 10:7). Shepherds would lie down, across the opening (ie the gate) of the sheep pen so their bodies become the barrier against thieves and predators that may try to steal the sheep at night. In the same way, Jesus watches over us and protects us, His sheep.
In addition, the sheep pass through the gate to feed on green pastures and drink from quiet waters (Psalm 23:2), which is why Jesus said that He has come so we may have life to the full (John 10:10b).
He not only provides for our every need in this life, but He also opened the way to God for us through His sacrifice on the Cross, for the only way to the Father is through Him (John 14:6b). Plus He has opened to us the gate to heaven and a life spent with Him for eternity.
Oh, how Beautiful indeed is Jesus, our Healer, Protector, Provider, and gate to life now and forevermore!
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