Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.
Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.
Acts 3:1-11 NLT
Earlier this month I stumbled upon this passage and was gripped by Peter and John’s interaction with the lame man. Have I read this passage before? Yes. Is God’s Word alive and powerful, being sharper than any two edge sword? Yes, praise God! An unending joy in finding new wisdom and accounts of Scripture that breathes fresh life and perspective every day. What intrigued me strongly about this passage as I read it was the interaction that unfolds here and the word “intently” being the word the New Living Translation uses to describe this scenario. I found myself reflecting and asking, “Why is this passage gripping my attention this time around so strongly compared to when I have read it before? What is it about Peter and John’s interaction with the lame man that I am so drawn too?” Then it hit me, Peter and John we’re intentionally engaging a crippled man who was looked down on by society.
This man was lame from birth and in growing up all his life would always have to rely on others. In the day and age of this setting, indeed he was a crippled beggar that people saw all the time who sat beside the Temple gate begging for money and was potentially looked down on. However, on this day Peter and John we’re coming to the Temple to partake in the three o’clock prayer service and while many people probably looked right past the lame man as he asked them for money as they walked by, Peter and John did not. They stopped and looked at him intently. The lame man looking away from Peter and John was met by Peter’s voice speaking to him saying, “Look at us!” The lame man looks up at them eagerly expecting to receive money, but he was about to receive something much better. Peter tells him that he does not have anything worldly of value to give him, but that he’ll give him something he does have.
“In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
Peter then helps the lame man up from the ground and as he does the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. Then he begins praising God as he walks and leaps in the midst of all the people who saw him and realized he was the lame beggar and they are absolutely astounded! The identity of the man being the lame beggar was no more, and now he had been given a new life. At the result of this miracle of healing Peter saw an opportunity and addresses the crowd in making an evangelistic speech sharing the Good News of Jesus.
Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed – and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.
Acts 3:16 NLT
The reason why I felt it important to draw this passage out in this month’s blog is the simplicity in doing ministry when it comes to intentionally engaging those around us. While there may be many strategies and approaches to engage those around us, stopping to intently look at those around us and having a conversation is a simple and easy way to do ministry that doesn’t need to be overcomplicated. The lame man was asking for money for help, but he was not really addressing his actual need. Peter and John were spiritually aware and observant enough to see what the man really needed and that was healing. They we’re able to discern this because they intently looked at him. While this may be obvious given the man’s physical condition, however, in the busyness of the day or wanting to move on to the next thing they could have simply just given him money (if they had any) and just kept walking into the Temple and not thought twice about it. However, they stopped, looked, and spoke to the man intently. The definition for intently is, “with earnest and eager attention.” In other words, the lame man had both Peter and John’s earnest and eager attention. A question I find myself asking is this, “Am I giving my earnest and eager attention to those around me?” A question that I believe each and every one of us can ask ourselves.
How easy is it to be distracted by the busyness of life in being addicted to hurry that we miss out on the here and now of things God would seek for his people to do in intentionally engaging those around us. Especially those in need. Community is a vital part of the Christian faith as Scripture gives much counsel and wisdom of how to take care of one another. Ministry encompasses many things, but one of those essential things is intentionally engaging those around us with a genuine heart and spirit. Ministry cannot exist without people and as people we are created for relationship. So my challenge to all of us, is this; when you see someone in need, working alongside a co-worker, talking with a child, having a conversation with your spouse, serving as a greeter at your local church, answering a phone call from family, giving your food order to the waitress, or talking with your neighbor, intentionally engage them with earnest and eager attention.
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. This is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.
1 Peter 3:8-9 NLT
Best Regards,
Derrick Shipley