‘When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Acts 3: 3-6
How much time do we spend focusing on what we don’t have? How many times do we talk ourselves out of helping someone because we believe we don’t have the time, or the resources or the expertise? Most beggars will be used to being passed by. In fact many people even today have problems looking a beggar in the eye. Normally they are suspicious or fearful or feel embarrassed at their lack of ability to help or change their suffering. But that is not how Peter and John respond. They look straight at him. In fact the word says they looked intently. They gave him their full attention. You see the man sat in that same place every day and the disciples went to pray at the temple everyday, so the chances are they would have passed each other many times, and the man could have called out many times. But there is something about this particular time that gets their attention.
I believe this is the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I believe the disciples had that inner knowing. I believe through this lifestyle of prayer and devotion to following Jesus and being empowered through the Holy Spirit, their ears are intune to that inner voice and their eyes see beyond what is just going on around them and see how they can show the will of God and bring heaven to earth. So this is why Peter turns to the man and says “Look at us!” He asks for his full attention. The word used is blepo, meaning a deep or spiritual insight. In other words it’s as if he was saying “ you see us, but really look at us!” “So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.” Now we see from the beggar's response that he is expectant. Rather than being overlooked someone has responded to his cry for help. Hope rises in his heart. Maybe these men will show him kindness.The man is ready to receive. He believes that he will be shown favour.
What I love about the next part of the passage is the simple, straightforward, uncomplicated statement of faith from Peter. “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you.” These men had nothing to offer the beggar in the natural, but I love the fact that they don’t even stop to consider their lack. They don’t deny it but it doesn’t limit them in any way. They have a revelation of what they do have. They have experienced the abundance of the kingdom.They simply believe that the life of Jesus that they have living on the inside of them can flow into this man and change his life. They can reach out, lift this man out of his suffering, his shame, his limitations and his lowly existence and they can lift him up to receive life. True life, the life of Jesus. So they simply command “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
Peter and John simply believed and put their faith in Jesus. They didn’t stop and question if they were qualified. They didn’t ask the man if he believed. They didn’t take time to think about what the people would think, they didn’t worry about whether they would upset the religious authorities. They didn’t think about whether they were worthy and if any sin on their part would stop the power of Jesus flowing through them. They simply believed!!
Please remember to share this daily devotion with your friends, and if anyone wants to receive ‘Grace for Today’ directly then please just sign up via our website at www.exchangechurchbelfast.com
Unshakeable Hope Series – Exchange Church Belfast 2021