What We Have We Give
Scripture Reading — Acts 3:1-10
Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.
In today’s story we see the apostles Peter and John going together to the temple to pray. This picture of devotion and community is contrasted with that of a beggar “being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful” and left to beg for his daily bread from the people going into the temple courts.
At busy intersections in cities today, we can sometimes see people holding signs asking for food or money. Though we may wonder if they are truthful about their situation, we all know what happens when we come across them. We usually avoid making eye contact. We avoid seeing them.
But the apostles did not avoid making eye contact. Our passage says that Peter looked straight at the man who was lame and even asked him to look at him and John. Expecting some coins of silver or gold, the man looked up.
Peter’s next words would have been discouraging to a person begging: “Silver or gold I do not have. . . .” But then came words of healing “in the name of Jesus Christ,” and, beyond his wildest dreams, the man was able to walk and jump for joy. So he followed along with the apostles, praising God in the temple courts. Now that is Beautiful!
Dear God of healing, help us to see people in need. May our eyes be directed by your heart for others. May we be people who welcome and show your love to everyone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — Jul Medenblik
Rev. Jul Medenblik is a former attorney who was called to pastoral ministry and became the church-planting pastor of a congregation in New Lenox, Illinois. Since 2011 he has served as the seventh president of Calvin Theological Seminary, which, together with Calvin University, is celebrating 150 years of God’s faithfulness in their history as the educational institutions of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (see calvinseminary.edu/150th). Jul and his wife, Jackie, have been married for over 40 years and are blessed with two adult children and a son-in-law.
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