By Michele DeGarmo
Silver and gold I have not, but what I do have, I give to you: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. Acts 3:6
Peter and John, two of Jesus’ disciples, were asked by a lame man for money as they entered the temple. Most people ignored this man as he was there daily at the temple gate. But Peter looked at this needy man, this beggar, who had been disabled since birth. Peter wanted this man’s full attention so he said “Look at us,” meaning he and John. The Word says that this man looked at them expecting to receive something. This is when Peter spoke the above command to “rise up and walk.” Peter gave this man much more than he asked for or imagined: He gave him what Jesus gave to Peter: the Holy Spirit. And in this case, it was the Holy Spirit’s healing power as Peter took the man’s hand, lifted him up and “immediately his feet and ankles were healed and strengthened” and the man began leaping and walking! What was the ripple effect of Peter giving this man Holy Spirit’s healing power? The word says in Acts 3:8-10 that this man and all the people in the temple who saw him walk in were filled with wonder and amazement at his healing and they were all praising God!
I love this story as it demonstrates to us so many attributes and desires of God for His people. First, just like the beggar, we all have a desire to be seen. Peter said, “look at us,” and when he looked, engagement happened. Many people walk through each day like zombies, not paying much attention to those around them, especially those they might deem “non-essentials” in their daily walk. When was the last time you engaged with the check-out clerk, your waiter, or a person standing in line next to you? When you do engage, do you notice how that person lights up or how their countenance lifts, their eyes get a bit brighter and they smile? You’ve noticed them and imparted the love of Jesus to them. It’s what everyone desires, just to be noticed.
Secondly, isn’t it just like God to give us so much more than we ask or think? This man asked for money probably so he could buy food or pay for his housing. But Jesus saw his need and wanted to really bless him, and because the man engaged with Peter, Peter could then impart Jesus’ healing power through the Holy Spirit to this man. Peter could only give this man what he had, and what he had was the authority to heal in Jesus’ name. I would have loved to have seen the look on the man’s face when Peter said that he’d give him Jesus instead of money – I’m sure he was a bit befuddled!
But then Peter “took him by his right hand and lifted him up, and immediately…” This is the third point: God is faithfully reaching His mighty right hand out to us, and when we grasp is, He gets to show us His miraculous “immediatelies!” The man grasped Peter’s right hand and stood up because his feet and ankles were “immediately healed and strengthened.” Imagine his face now! Expecting money but instead getting healed! So much more than he ever was asking or expecting.
And finally – what was the man’s response? Leaping, walking and praising the Lord! Telling the people what just took place – testimony! And what was their response to seeing and hearing this? They started praising the Lord, too!
This story is written in Acts as an example for us to follow. We, as believers in Jesus Christ, have something to offer. We have a gift that far exceeds any earthly, material gift. We have the Holy Spirit of God living in us! We can see a “formula” here, if you will, that tells us how to give this gift and how to receive it. First, engage with the Lord. Our eyes focused on Him allows us to give Him and receive from Him. To give, engage the other person and make the offer of your hand, just as God extends His hand to us and desires us to grab a hold. And finally, be obedient and do what He says. Peter told the man to “get up and walk.” When you’re down, once you’ve turned your eyes toward Him and grabbed a hold of His hand, listen for His voice to tell you to rise up and walk. Offer this to others, it’s the best gift you have to give! Accept the gift yourself when you need it. And be expectant and ever so thankful for the “immediately” that will come. And when all this is said and done, praise the Lord!
