Slices
Prepare
Paying attention to what we are paying attention to can be revealing. What have you been giving your attention to in the last hour, day and week? Pray from what you notice.
Bible passage
Peter heals a lame beggar
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 recognised 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.
Explore
Our story today starts comfortably in the realm of the ordinary: two pious Jews adhering to daily rhythms of devotion, and a lame man placed where he could ask for alms – just as he did every day. Extraordinary entered first through their eyes (vs 3,4). Their exchanged glances communicated expectation: the lame man’s, of monetary help; Peter and John’s, of heaven moving (v 5). Jesus’ followers had seen the lame walk at his word on many occasions: freshly filled with his Spirit and power, why wouldn’t they expect to continue his ministry?
Things get interesting when we allow ourselves to see the needs around us with eyes of expectant faith. We don’t have to go out of our way: each ordinary day is crammed with opportunities to partner with God’s extraordinary kingdom purposes, if only we will open our eyes to see. We may not always be able to provide what people think they need, but like Peter we know we have something so much better to offer (v 6). Life with Jesus is too good not to give freely, too amazing not to act upon and too incredible not to invite others into, where uncontainable joy abounds!
Respond
Ask Jesus to give you eyes of expectation and show you opportunities for ministry today.
Deeper Bible study
Father, grant that, as we live by the Spirit, we may ‘keep in step with the Spirit’.1
The division between two chapters here should not mislead us. This story is closely related to the description of the new community that we have previously noticed, and the words and actions of Peter and John illustrate the radical nature of its shared life. The tragedy of the crippled man at the entrance to the Temple is emphasised: he had been unable to walk ‘from birth’ (v 2) and was ‘put every day’ to beg in the same public space. The plight of disabled people in the ancient world was truly desperate. We are told that ‘all the people … recognised him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate’ (vs 9,10) – he had become part of the Temple furniture!
The actions of the apostles in this situation demonstrate two of the consequences of Pentecost. First, the Holy Spirit, poured out on ‘all people’,2 creates a new fellow-feeling for the disadvantaged, neglected and despairing human beings in society. Peter and John ‘looked straight at’ the man (v 4) whom the crowds passed by and were deeply moved by his plight. This compassion for needy people was a leading characteristic of Jesus himself, so that the disciples’ concern for people at the margins is evidence of their imitation of Christ.
Second, Peter’s declaration that he possessed no ‘silver or gold’ (see v 6) reveals the apostles’ commitment to the shared life of the new community in which believers ‘had everything in common’.3 The gift of the Spirit creates new patterns of interpersonal behaviour and it has serious social and economic implications. This ‘fruit of the Spirit’4 is often overlooked but, at a time when money has come to dominate life as never before, Peter’s words demand serious Christian self-examination.
Reflect prayerfully on the role money plays in your life, in the light of this text.
1 Gal 5:25 2 Acts 2:17 3 Acts 2:44 4 Gal 5:22,23
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Kings 10–12; 2 Corinthians 5
Pray for Scripture Union
‘The harvest is plentiful…’ (Luke 10:2a). Children have been positive about Roger’s assemblies, and there has been no shortage of them wanting to go on his camps. Give thanks that many young people are hungry to learn about God! (This week's prayers relate to this story.)
