What Do You Have To Offer

“And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, ‘Look at us.’ So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’” – Acts 3:2-6

The first orphanage in Jacmel, Haiti I was asked to build was made from shipping containers.  The picture shows the dining facility which was a container under a roof on a cement pad.  The reason John Turnbull, Pastor Doug Moyer (sitting) and I had t-shirts on our heads was because we were doing a skit for the orphans about the lame man at the gate (Acts 3). I thought of this skit when I started to formulate the devotion for this morning.  John and I were Peter and John, but John was not John, John was Peter. Confusing?

When the lame man was at the gate he had no expectation of ever walking – let alone leaping or running. No, that was not to be his lot in life. Instead, his life - every day- was somehow getting to a place where he could beg for money so he could survive. You have seen people like him, I am certain – they have their spot along the road – you see them day after day – most of them have no hope of their days ever being any different. No hope for the future – for a “normal” life. You meet people like that every day – people who have no hope of their lives ever being better than they are. A life full of stress over a litany of troubles. Normally we don’t make eye contact with people we suspect might want something from us. If you look a beggar in the eye that normally means you intend to give them something – money or food – so you don’t unless you do – intend to give them something that is.

So this lame man looked at these two guys hoping for a coin or two. Peter fixed his eyes on him – remember – this was after Pentecost – Peter was a new Peter – filled with the Spirit of God – just like you and me. What Peter had to offer was not a coin – but a new life of hope – a new lease on life. The man expected a coin but instead Peter said “Rise up and walk!”

“And he (Peter) took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” – Acts 3:7-10

This healing gave Peter the opportunity to lift up the name of Jesus (you can read the rest of the story in Acts 3).  And so do we.  We pass by spiritually lame people every day.  Oh, most often we try not to look them in the eyes. That is because we are looking at our human abilities and so avoid reaching down with our hand.  It was not Peter that healed the man, but God through Peter. In the same way, it is not you and I who save people – it is God through our lifting Jesus up – sharing the Gospel that the spiritually lame might be healed.

“And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.’” – Matthew 11:2-6

What do you have to offer a crippled world – a world that seems to be imploding? Jesus. The world, the people you meet can rise up and walk in the name of Jesus. So let your light shine – even in the midst of this pandemic.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone