One of my favourite parts of the Bible is the first few verses of the third chapter of Acts. In my opinion, this is the point where the readers can see the contrasts between the post-Crucifixion Peter and the pre-Crucifixion Peter; between the Peter of power and purpose the Peter of question and qualm. To me it is the pinnacle of Peter’s full conversion to Christ’s cause.
The chapter begins with Peter and his counsellor John walking toward the Jerusalem temple for the 9:00 morning prayer. Right before they stepped into the temple, a lame man sitting by the temple gate called to them, asking for alms.
This is where we see Peter’s power and authority shining through. First he calls upon the man to look upon them. The man, of course, expected - as I’m sure has happened countless times before - to receive some sort of offering.
Peter recognised the thoughts which must have been going through this man’s mind and addressed them with “Silver and gold have I none.” But before any disappointment could settle into the eyes of this man who had not walked since birth, Peter gave him a gift without price.
“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”
What faith this must have taken. Here we have Peter - a lowly fisherman who not many months before doubted many doctrines introduced by the Saviour; who shortly after the Crucifixion went back to fishing instead of preaching - realising the true purpose of the authority he held; realising the potential of the keys he had received from angels; realising the apostleship he had received from the Saviour.
But you know what the most intriguing part is? What he did after the command for the lame man to walk. In what really is a shining reflection of the Saviour’s life, Peter didn’t just stand there as the man struggled to his feet; he reached out his hand and he lifted him up.
Oh that we had the faith and the compassion of Peter. How often do we encourage those we visit to keep the commandments; to say their prayers; to read their scriptures; to implement the Holy Spirit in their lives? And how often do we go one step further and help them accomplish these things.
Does a shepherd yell to his sheep to get in the pen and then go home to watch TV, or does he guide them in, showing them, loving them, teaching them? Does the potter spin the clay expecting it to shape itself, or does he caress the clay, moulding it, guiding it, shaping it? Does the gardener throw down her seeds and then go to a football game, or does she watch her tender plants, watering them, weeding them, strengthening them?
We too must be like Peter, preaching but helping.
Posted by John in Feature Articles