Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. Acts 3:2
“At the doorway to worship are those whose very presence should discipline praise and guide hope. Before praises go up to God the poor and the lame, sick and pained must be seen. The lame man lay in the path toward praise which is also the path of the disciples. This route was established by Jesus.
The man is precisely the person Jesus will see and demands His disciples see. Peter and John find themselves without an option: time to see with the eyes of Jesus. The man was a daily reminder of the need of Israel itself, for miraculous healing, and for yet another moment of divine revealing…
Peter has no riches to give. He has something else to offer. The contrast of gifts introduces the truth of belonging. There is silver and gold, the gifts of the Caesars of this world, and there are the gifts of God.”
Willie James Jennings in Acts: A Theological Commentary on the Bible (Belief; Louisville: WJKP, 2017) 41-42.
Ever hear anyone say to you that they do not know anyone who is poor or needy? If you do, give this suggestion. Tell them to ask God to give them the eyes of Jesus. What about you?
God wants to bless the world through you. If you are not sure whom to serve, invite the Spirit to guide you. The Spirit through people is the main character of Acts of the Apostles and the Church today.