Year 7, Day 236: Acts 3

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Once more we see a great number of the themes that we spotted yesterday.  God’s hand is at work.  Peter gets an opportunity to do ministry.  As Peter does ministry, community develops.  As Peter does ministry, he gets an opportunity to teach and preach.

To take part of this story much more deeply, take a look at this interaction between the lame beggar and Peter and John.  I want to give the lame guy some credit.  He asks for alms.  Do you understand how hard it is to acknowledge one’s own deficiencies and inability to support oneself?  Here is a guy who is willing to go up to strangers and ask for a handout.  That takes guts.  It takes guts to face the countless rejection and still ask.  It takes guts to view the mirror of oneself and see the imperfection and inability.

Peter doesn’t give him a handout.  Peter looks to the man and gives him what he can.  I personally would consider Peter’s gift the better gift.  Peter introduces the man to the power of God in the person of Jesus Christ.  This lame man stands up and walks.

Here’s the neat thing.  The man clings to Peter.  Peter takes the man and literally brings him into the temple with them.  Peter literally brings the man into the presence of God.  God’s work through Peter results in the lame man being led into relationship with Him.  Community happens between Peter and the lame man because it centers on relationship with God at the core.

There’s one more thing about this opening story that is worth noting.  Do you hear that the people were filled with wonder about this?  God’s handiwork is visible to the people around us.  Sometimes it is visible to many people.  Sometimes it is visible just to a few close people.  But it is visible.  God’s work in me can inspire others.  God’s work in others should inspire me.  I should be looking for God’s hand at work and then I should be willing to be filled with wonder.  The things that God can do should be awe-inspiring.  It shouldn’t matter whether I am an infant in my spirituality or an old veteran of the faith.  God’s hand should inspire wonder and awe within.

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