Acts 3:1-10
3: Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 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!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Reflection
Chapter 1 of the book of Acts showed the apostles waiting for the Spirit, chapter 2 marked the coming of the Spirit, and now chapter 3 shows the apostles being empowered with the Spirit (on being “filled” with the Holy Spirit, cf. Acts 2:4; 4:8; 4:31).
The power of God’s salvation not only creates generosity (cf. 2:42–47) but also drives concern for the weak and afflicted, as seen in Peter and John’s interaction with this beggar. He is not just a statistic to them but a person. No wealth was required to transform this man’s body and heart. While Peter and John have no money, neither does the beggar; he has nothing whatsoever to offer in exchange for healing, but that is no hindrance to the grace of Christ. He freely extends his power of healing to one who has no right or ability to claim it.
1 Peter 5:6-14
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Reflection
Peter connects every command to a gospel promise. “Humble yourselves” because God will exalt you (1 Pet. 4:6). “[Cast] all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (v. 7). “Be sober-minded” and “watchful,” because you are now an enemy of the Devil (v. 8). “Resist” the Devil and stand “firm,” because you are not alone: your Christian brothers and sisters throughout the world share that struggle with you (v. 9). Thus, the good news of Christ’s grace becomes the motivation and compulsion for faithful living.
We are not left to wonder about the logic of gospel-empowered obedience: Jesus himself will “restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish” us (v. 10). What a comfort to know we do not have an absentee Father, a distant Savior, or a “hands off” Spirit! The Lord who has eternal dominion over all things (v. 11) has restored us and secured us to himself. We endure suffering and confidently live for him because he has provided such overwhelming, sustaining, eternal, and compelling grace for us.
Psalm 72:13
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.
Just as Peter and John had compassion on the disabled beggar (Acts 3:1–10), the grace of God should give us compassion for those who are in need. Ask God to give you a tender heart for those who have nothing to offer, so that you will be eager to offer God’s grace in the gospel of his Son.