Acts; Handing out what we've been given...

June 27

Read: Acts 3

Acts;

Handing out what we’ve been given…

“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!” (v.6)

“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?” (v.12)

Two things I know for sure from this passage: The miraculous work carried out by Peter was NOT by his own “power or piety”, and yet somehow he had “something to give” to this beggar who was once lame! As Peter and John walked into the Temple - a path they had walked many times before - this day God had something else in store for them. It is fascinating to think that Jesus himself walked by this crippled man at least three times, and yet Jesus did not heal him. It would be Peter that the Lord would use to heal this lame beggar. In a sense, the Father seems to functionally have told Jesus, “that guy there is not yours to heal… I am going to have Peter and John be a part of that after you have ascended and come to my right hand.” I am reminded once again of Ephesians 2:10 - that God has “good works he has set aside from before the foundations of time for us to walk in.”

It is a scandalous idea to think that God has entrusted us with something to give. Whatever it is, we have it to give NOT because of how “spiritual” or pious we are… and not by our own power… nevertheless we give it. (These are the words of scripture. Read Acts 3:6 again) God has entrusted you with not only good works to do… but also good things from him to give out! Like a waiter delivering what God has cooked up! God working through us is not reserved for only a few special people… it is for ALL of his people. Peter affirms this when he reminds us that this work was not carried out because of his own “piety”. Peter is saying to the crowds, “this isn’t something that happened because I am super-spiritual or because I am better at being holy than you are!” It also is not because he is somehow more “powerful” than the rest of them! It is Jesus in Peter working through him to carry this out. Just as it says in Phil. 2:13 - “…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

We know that it is “faith in Christ” and faith in”from Christ” that actually made this man well. It says so in the text:

“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.” (v.16)

Somehow the actions of Peter and what Peter “gave” are connected to the “name of Jesus” and “faith in the name of Jesus”. Jesus is working with Peter. Jesus has called Peter into ministry fueled by the power of “his name”. Jesus is working through Peter - as if Peter were his own hands and feet! Peter knows enough to know it is not his own “power and piety” but he also knows that he has been entrusted with something to give. He is not a “silver and gold guy”… that is for someone else in the community … but he IS a guy who hands out whatever it is he gave him. (cf. v.6)

So what has God entrusted to you? What sort of things is he asking you to hand out? What is it that he is calling you to… that has nothing to do with your own “piety or power”? We can get so wrapped up in the “not by our own…” that we begin to think we have nothing to give. This is simply not true. The fact is that what we have to give is not by our own piety or power… but it has been given to us to give out! A similar oversight happens when people read the words of Jesus in John 15:5  “…for apart from me you can do nothing.” Too many believers read this as “you can do nothing”. That is not what it says… what it says is “apart from me you can do nothing.” These are two very different ideas! I am not sure exactly what it was, but somehow Peter and John knew that on that particular day heading into the Temple that God had something for them to deliver… something to “give” to this man. They had walked right by him before… but not that day. Maybe this is why they “stared intently at him” or “directed their gaze at him”. (v.4) What were they looking for… or looking at? I don’t know. But I think they were given eyes to see what God was up to. God was leading them… to “will and to work”. (Phil 2:13) Ask the Lord to give you eyes to see what he has for you today. Ask the Lord to give you CONFIDENCE to boldly “give away” what he has given to you. Ask the Lord to give clarity regarding what sort of things you have to give. (Peter knew he was not a silver and gold guy… but rather a stretch out your hand and heal guy!) I know these ideas can and have been abused by people over the years… but don’t let those misrepresentations take away from what God is truly doing! Where will your gaze land today? Where will the name of Jesus be powerfully revealed? What situation or person have you “walked by” many times before… but today God has something else in store? Love you guys. - JDP