Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Acts 3:3-7 [ESV]
You can imagine the scene, can’t you? The down cast beggar looking at, but not making eye contact with those he is seeking money from. No doubt he is continually repeating a phrase of asking for any spare denarius. Then it happens, Peter fixes his gaze on him and John commands him to look at them. It can be disconcerting when you have to look at someone that you don’t know well, particularly if you are on the ground and they tower above you, they have self -respect and you try not to consider your existence too much while begging for alms. But engage he does. He probably then just half hears a sentence that includes the name Jesus and the next thing he knows, he is being helped to his feet.
Peter’s words to the man are that he has no silver or gold to give. He then gives him what he has and what he has is the healing power of the Holy Spirit. The man stands and walks; his ankles are made strong.
The lesson is simple: give what you can to those that God has put in your path. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you too have the resources that you need to be Jesus’ hands and feet among the people that you live among and work with. Maybe one day, you will hear the Spirit telling you to go and speak healing to someone, maybe it has already happened, but it doesn’t matter if it never does. What matters is that you give what you have. Think and pray today about how you can better give what you have to those that God has brought you into contact with.
John Martin-Jones
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