The answer is: Cripple

Acts 14

In Acts 14, we come across a captivating moment during Paul’s missionary journey when he encounters a crippled man in Lystra. It’s fascinating how Paul, moved by the man's faith, calls out and commands him to stand up — and miraculously, the man leaps up to his feet! This accounts for one of the many signs and wonders that Paul performed during his travels, a testament to how divinely inspired he felt on his mission.

This story echoes notable healings found throughout Scripture, resembling instances of Jesus healing the lame. For instance, in John 5, Jesus heals a man at the Pool of Bethesda, offering another vivid picture of restoration and empowerment, highlighting a key theme: the potential for radical change and new direction in life.

Lystra, located in modern-day Turkey, wasn't a city predominantly Jewish. This fact makes Paul's healing even more remarkable, as it illustrates the universal nature of Paul's message reaching those outside traditional boundaries of faith. It stirs excitement because it emphasizes that hope and healing transcend cultural constraints.

Additionally, the people's reaction in Lystra adds an intriguing layer. They mistake Paul and Barnabas for gods, calling them Hermes and Zeus! This reflects not only their humanness but also serves to remind us how divine actions can sometimes be misperceived by travelers with marvelous tales—all of which makes this a vividly relatable encounter on the early Christian path. Not just healers, but gardeners, planting the seeds of spirituality wherever they go!