April 26 - Money or a Miracle?

Acts 3:1-10

To more fully understand today's passage, we need to take a look at Acts 2. The church was new. The Holy Spirit had just descended on the disciples in the upper room (Acts 2:2-4). Peter preached an incredible sermon to the new believers (Acts 2:14-40), and thousands were coming to faith. The new church cared for each other in ways never seen before (Acts 2:-47).

This new band of believers is growing by leaps and bounds. Just days before, Peter preached to crowds, and he reminded them of the words of the prophet Joel:

I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below (Acts 2:19).

He also gave testimony to Jesus:

Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him. (Act 2:22)

Now, back to Acts 3. Peter and John are on their way into the temple to pray, and they walk by the crippled man who is always there, begging for money. When Peter looks right at him, he expects to receive a few coins.

But they had so much more than money to give him. Peter looks right at him, and says "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." And he does! The now-healed man joins them for prayer, jumping and praising God. And of course, the people in the temple recognize him as the beggar at the temple gate who is now miraculously healed.

Aren't we too often just like this crippled man? The Giver of Life is standing before us, arms wide open, offering us eternal life. And we ask for money....for crumbs.....for unimportant things. This C. S. Lewis quote rings true:

We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.

Jesus is offering you an oasis in the desert - fresh, clean water that will never run dry. Accept his gift. And gladly tell others about it. In these pandemic times, we Christians have the only thing that will last - what a joy to share with our neighbors and friends. Thank you, Lord, for your good gifts.

Begging for Change

Acts 3:1-2 (NIV) 
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled 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.

Peter and John, arrived at the temple the same hour as the crippled man and his friends. Every day at three in the afternoon this man could be found, begging for money from those heading into the temple.

Maybe his presence was expected and perhaps there were those generous attendees who regularly dropped something into his hands. He went there every day so he must have profited.  This man, a regular sight, and one many people looked at but didn't see, would soon find his world changed forever. 

I know we heard read this story many times before, but did you ever wondered what happened the next day? What changed for that man the day after his miraculous healing? Did he still go to the temple gate? Did his friends still go with him?

When a major life-change occurs, how do we face the next days? When many of us came to faith it was after years of prayers or learning or struggles. It wasn't an overnight thing. We gradually made changes to how we lived each day; our faith grew and became repentant Believers. 

But for this man and some of us, significant change happens on the spot. A death unexpectedly turns our world upside down. A few us of even experience healings - perhaps of the body, but maybe of the heart. For certain, when Jesus touches us with His healing power - be it of the body, mind or spirit - nothing is ever the same again.

Acts 3:1-10

The Torch Has Been Passed

As you read this, the Olympic Torch is making its way from Olympia, Greece to Sochi, Russia. In 1996, the late Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s, carried the torch through mid-Ohio en-route to Atlanta, Georgia. This ritual, full of pomp and circumstance, denotes that a new city is hosting the Olympics, and dates back many, many years.

We use the term “passing the torch” to mean a new group of people is responsible for carrying out a mission or activity.

Today’s reading, Acts 3:1-10, is a story demonstrating that a torch has been passed.

From the reading, we know that the lame beggar was healed and praised God. Everyone who saw the event was amazed. This was a miracle, and many who witnessed this no doubt came to faith. But this was not that unusual. The Bible records numerous times when Jesus healed people. Jesus even raised Lazarus from the dead.

But this time it was different. This time it was the Apostle Peter doing the healing. Not Jesus.

Well, actually it was the Holy Spirit who healed the beggar, working through Peter.

Jesus was no longer physically on earth, but his mission had only just begun. The Apostles had previously been told that they were to carry out Jesus’ ministry on earth (Mark 16:15-18).

When they received the Holy Spirit, the apostles had the necessary skills and talents to complete their task. The torch had been passed, and the healing of the lame beggar was proof that the Apostles had the requisite authority, talents and skills to carry out Jesus' work.

Spiritual authority lies within the congregations that comprise God’s Heavenly Kingdom. Through the Holy Spirit, congregations have the means of grace (Word and Sacraments) at their fingertips and they are to use these to bring people to Christ.

It is the job of every congregation to carry out the mission that Jesus started 2000 years ago.

We have all we need to carry out this task; we have the Holy Spirit.

The Torch has been passed!