‘RISE UP AND WALK’ – 3. AT THE BEAUTIFUL GATE. The gate of the temple which is called Beautiful: The Jewish historian Josephus described this gate on the temple mount; made of fine Corinthian brass, seventy-five feet high with huge double doors, so beautiful that it “greatly excelled those that were only covered over with silver and gold.” It was at this ornamented gate that Peter and John had an encounter with the lame man. ‘And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk’. Fixing his eyes on him: The man must have been happy and encouraged when Peter and John looked at him intently. Most people who want to ignore beggars are careful to not make eye contact with them. When they looked at the lame man so intently, he probably thought he had a big gift coming. He gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them: The lame man returned the eye contact with Peter and John; perhaps he stretched out his hand or a cup to receive their generosity. The lame man was correct in expecting to receive something from them, but he received much more than the monetary donation he would have been satisfied with! Many have yet to come to the place where they really expect something from God. This is faith, plain and simple – even if the man expected less than Jesus wanted to give. Better yet, we should expect the right things from God. We are often much too ready to settle for much less than God wants to give to us, and our low expectations often rob us. Silver and gold I do not have: Peter didn’t have any money, but he did have authority from Jesus to heal the sick (what I do have I give to you). Peter knew what it was like to have God use him to heal others, because Jesus had trained him in this (Luke 9:1-6). When Peter and John gave him no money, we might have heard the lame man complain: “You don’t care about me. You won’t support me. Look at the mess I’m in.” But Peter and John had something greater than supporting the man in his condition. They wanted to transform his life by the power of the risen Jesus Christ. I pray for you that the transforming power in the name of Jesus will transform every unpalatable situation that surrounds your life today, Amen. Have a wonderful week in ‘His Presence’. Do enjoy this music – ‘‘IT’S YOUR LOVE ’’ by HILLSONG. youtube/watch?v=LPuM0PUjq2k
Posted on: Sun, 17 Nov 2013 19:56:53 +0000
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