I want to share a Bible story with you that is as up to date as today’s headlines. You see it all the time…and so do I. You stop at a store and you see someone there who has a need…they’re acting like they don’t feel well…they may seem depressed, or they may be hungry or in some kind of need. Really it can happen anywhere…on your way to church, while you are at work, in the grocery store, in a restaurant…in reality there are sick and discouraged people everywhere you look. And each one of them is a person who needs a touch from Jesus. Let’s look at this story and I will show you what I mean…the scripture is found in the book of Acts chapter 3, verses 1-10:
“Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 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.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”
So…here they are…Peter and John, they were just going to church at the normal worship time. Nothing unusual there. And as they approached the temple, they saw a lame man sitting there at the gate and he was asking for money. This man had been lame ever since he was born, and it was his normal routine that “someone” would bring him to the temple every day to ask people for money as they passed by entering into the temple for prayer. It was the place to be because that is where the people gathered and he knew that somebody would feel sorry for him and give him some money. So I am sure that Peter and John had seen him there before, as did everyone in Jerusalem. He was a normal sight for them…someone they probably didn’t even pay much attention to anymore. But this day was different…because Peter and John had a different agenda and God had a different plan for this man…one that would change his life forever.
I want you to notice 3 things about this story that may benefit you in your day to day interactions with the people around you, and how you too can begin to see God’s miracles on a regular basis.
1. Notice that Peter and John were just going about their normal routine. There was nothing unusual about them going to the temple, and this lame man was there to take advantage of the fact that this is where he would find the most people. Peter and John did not take a mission’s trip, they didn’t go to the homeless shelter, they didn’t go to a nursing home or to a prison to find ministry opportunities…they were just going about their usual routine when they met this man.
Friends, it’s a great thing to be involved with a ministry and to get a group of people going out together to minister to others, and I truly love doing that and it’s a great way to reach the lost and also to build fellowship with one another…but I want you to know that ministry can happen wherever you decide to make it happen! I wonder how many people had walked by this lame man that day? I wonder how many had dropped a coin or two into his cup and walked on by? I wonder how many times the man had asked for alms before someone finally stopped and paid attention to his real need? No one else I would imagine. Peter didn’t go looking for ministry, but when it presented itself to him, and he realized he had exactly what that man needed, he responded to the need with the power of the Name of Jesus. Friends, we also have that same Name, and that Name still carries the same power today that it did back then. When you see people who need Jesus, that is YOUR time to shine…to let the power of the Holy Spirit flow through you to touch their body or touch their soul and give them the only thing that will change their lives forever…the Name of Jesus!
2. Notice that Peter and John did what others would not do. How many people do you think were going to the temple that day? How many people do you think walked right by and did not see this man as an opportunity to bring glory and honor to Jesus? How many people do you think just saw him as a nuisance and a bother…and to be quite honest, would rather they didn’t even have to see him there at all? I would say probably a lot.
But then…think about this…is there somebody at work that you would rather not have to deal with? Or what about that homeless guy that hangs out on the corner where you have to drive by every day that you really would rather didn’t show up there at all? Do you sometimes just slip a dollar out the window to quench your own conscience, but inside you are thinking you really wish he would just go away? That’s exactly what all those other people had done to this man sitting at the gate to the temple that day…and not just that day, but every day for as long as this man could remember, that was his life. Not only was he lame, but he was also rejected and scorned and ridiculed…just because he couldn’t walk. What a horrible tragedy his life was! But then…two true men of God came by and they saw that this lame man needed a lot more than just a few coins in his beggar’s cup. What he really needed was a touch from the Master Himself! And THAT is what they gave to him! “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And that man’s life was NEVER the same again! Glory to God!
3. The third thing I want you to see in this story is there at the end. All the people saw what had happened to this man. They all knew he had been lame since birth…they had seen him every day out there begging…and NOW they saw him walking and leaping and praising God. What an amazing miracle had taken place right before their eyes. And the story goes on to tell of how Peter seized that opportunity to have church right there on Solomon’s Porch…this miracle opened the door for him to preach the Gospel to all who were present. And in chapter 4 we are told that although Peter and John were arrested, there were about 5000 men added to the number of Believers that day! What a glorious move of the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah!
But you probably think something like that could never happen to you. You probably think it was only because Peter was one of the Apostles. No…Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever! He is still using common, ordinary people who will boldly step out in faith to reach the lost world around them. He hasn’t stopped performing miracles that will change people’s lives, and He says He is no respecter of persons. He will use anyone who is willing to allow themselves to be used. But the question is…are we going to be like Peter, or are we going to be like the rest of the people who just walked by that day? Are we going to be used of God to make a real difference in the lives of those around us…or are we going to just blend in? It really is your choice what you want God to do in your life. Let me encourage you…be a game changer in the lives of others. Be the one who will reach out and seize every opportunity to make a difference in the world. Allow Jesus to use you to touch many lives and see the miracles of God in your life on a regular basis. Let me pray with you right now:
Father, in the Powerful and Mighty Name of Jesus, I want to be a “Game Changer”! I want to be the one who will make a difference in the lives of those around me. I want You to use me to see lives changed…I want You to use me to see bodies healed and I want You to help me to bring hope to many others. I don’t want to be mediocre Lord…I want to be a powerful witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. I know You will use me and make me an instrument of Your glory. Help me to step out boldly and to seize the opportunities that are around me every day for the glory of my Savior and Lord…in Jesus Name I pray…Amen
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