Look At Us

"And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, 'Look at us.' And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, 'I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!' And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God." Acts 3:2-8 ESV

Peter said, 'Look at us.' Then he made a very clear defined faith statement.

Here we are. This is what a have. It isn't what you expect. It is a miracle.

I roll this around in my mind and almost tremble at the words and reality of it. I dare not make it a formula of some kind. What a travesty to take a miracle and turn it into some religious action.

"And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him." Acts 3:9-10 ESV

The miracle produced great joy but there is more.

"While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: 'Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?... But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name - by faith in his name - has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus' " Acts 3:11-12, 14-20 ESV

What did Peter and John have? Peter had it together with John. He had the Gospel and a ready mind to share it to a person or to a group. He had a ready mind. It is something to think about.

What do I have today? What could I give someone?

If I spend time with a person like John what happens then? If we go out on purpose with the Gospel what will that mean? Can there be an 'us' to look at for needy person trapped in the grim small reality of their limited existence?

I'm not knocking silver and gold. I need it. I will leave my house today looking for some of it. Thank God I have had the ability to make some and it assists me in many things... but what about the miracle?

I want the miracle. It is that simple.

God has given me many things by His grace and I can sit on them and enjoy them.

'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.' John 12:24-26 ESV

It is grace so we are free to do that but just as wheat was made to multiply we can multiply.

It was the father that honored Peter and John. The Father made that lame man walk.

We want miracles in our cities and on our street where we live. We want miracles in our families and places far away.

My life alone... or the miracle together. Help God. Today we need your help. Guide us in proactive faith. Give us a John to call if we don't have one. Lead us where we would not go ourselves and fill the space with joy and great amazement.