The beggar who waited on the
stone piazza by the temple gate called “beautiful” could hardly be be
considered “beautiful” himself. His body was twisted and weak. He had been
carried there to beg alms. (Acts 4)
He had probably seen Peter
before. The fisherman visited the temple daily with his friends. They were a
happy group, praising God and greeting others in the crowd.
The lame man put out his hand, hoping to receive a few coins; but he was soon to receive a great deal more.
As he reached out for the hoped-for coins, Peter spoke. ‘In the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene,
WALK”
Suddenly the beggar’s legs
strengthened. He felt the change. He didn’t’ need to struggle. He sprang to his feet. He stood. He
took a step. He leaped. He shouted, “Oh, my God! Thank you, Lord”
The crowd stared. Some cheered. Some whispered their hopes to others. Some turned aside unable to bear the conflict with their unbelief. Many
joined themselves to the beggar's celebration. Tears
of joy flowed from the eyes of the beggars friends.
He remembered when Jesus had called the twelve together and instructed them to go. “ Go to the lost sheep of Israel. Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts.” “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. (Matthew 10). The power was not Peter’s. But it was his to deliver.
The same power is not mine, or yours…it is the Lord's. But it is ours to deliver.
Go, Fear not, Prepare not,
Make disciples.
Will there be conflict! Yes!
But, “Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. ." (Matthew 10:32)
Outside our walls the world waits, crippled by false values, begging for pennies, unable to enter the place of worship.
Will I remember what I have experienced? Will I doubt Him? Will I doubt myself? or will I put out my hand and deliver what I know and what I have seen?
People are afraid of conflict. Not just the conflict of dealing with those outside the walls, but also with the conflict inside their own skin. The great, what if nothing happens? Will "I" be viewed as a failure? Did I think I heard the Lord say, "Do this!" but not hear correctly? Will I bring ridicule down the Lord? Will I feel foolish? Will I look like a fool?
ReplyDeleteBut I think we often forget that we have been given permission to do this. We have been given the authority to do this. The outcome is in the Lord's hands. It is our faithfulness that counts. We carry the Holy Spirit with us where ever we go. We can't leave Him home. So when we use the authority that has been given to us to lay on others to ask for healing, He is already present. I like to think of how, when I lay hands on someone the Holy Spirit flows out of my fingers into the person I'm praying for. In that way, there is NO WAY nothing is going to happen! It may not be for me to understand how the Lord will work in each instance, but I have to understand that when the Holy Spirit leaves me to enter another, SOMETHING always happens!
Interesting that some beggars aren't aware of their condition, while others painfully acknowledge it.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOur world seems like that Mr Pabst...some are painfully aware of the hatred, the fear, the horror..while others are more concerned about the trivial details of life...their calendar, their flat tires, the spot on the rug, vacation arrangements.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime the headlines contrast, showing the overflowing hatred and fear that wants to invade our lives.
We would like to hug the victims,and explain to their enemies that violence does not solve anyone's siituation
We read the obvious lies that our own leaders pronounce and wonder how they can expect that we would believe and trust them.
We long for the truth, but scrubbed clean of hatred and open to kindness.
Come Lord Jesus, come..