3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 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.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.- Acts 3: 3-10
We begin our time through the book of Acts today and I could not be more excited! I pray that our journey through the gospels was enriching. We can never have enough Jesus time! But as summer arrives and our social interactions increase, we must remember that it is now our turn to take Christ’s message and share it.
Peter was at a similar crossroads here in chapter 3. I am sure the weeks after Jesus death was hard for Peter. Not only was he mourning the loss of his best friend, but he also had to make plans to promote Jesus’ name. The early chapters of Acts show us what this journey for Peter was like. In Acts 1 the disciples witness Jesus ascension, they choose a replacement for Judas, and they begin to preach the gospel in the temple courts. Peter and John were on the way to the temple. On this journey they encounter a lame man and Peter subsequently heals them.
There are many points we could preach on this passage, but I want to start with a simple fact. God used Peter during his daily tasks. Peter and John were approaching the temple as they normally did for the previous several weeks. They were encountered with an opportunity. Option one was to go to the temple and ignore the lame man. Option two was to proclaim Jesus greatness. They chose the harder option. In the next several weeks you too will have options as well. You can make jokes about quarantine, OR you can respond to inquiries about the last two months by proclaiming Jesus name.
When someone asks, “how have you been?” Tell them how you have grown in your faith. Tell them of the journey God has taken you. Tell them how you understand Christ’s suffering more. Tell them how you are agonized by the millions of people without a faith community. Tell them that Jesus loves them. It’s now our turn to tell the world that Jesus is enough for them.