But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”. (Acts 3:2)
The account of the healing of the lame man at the temple gate is astounding for a number of reasons. Here was a man familiar to all who entered the temple. He had been lame from birth and so likely had sat there for many years, begging for money.
At Peter’s command this unfortunate man was instantly healed – one moment he was sitting, the next he was “jumping and leaping and praising God”.
The spectacular transformation caught people’s attention and word travelled quickly. The were astounded and amazed as they rushed to Solomon’s colonnade to watch this walking miracle, as he clung to Peter and John (v.10,11).
It is impossible not to read this and find ourselves imagining what it must have been like to be that man. No doubt it started as just another day. Presumably he had friends or relatives who carried him to his usual spot, and he settled in for another long day, relying on the generosity of others to meet his everyday needs. Yet, in an instant, his ordinary day changed into one he would never forget.
However, as we continue to examine the book of Acts as a record of how God does ministry, it is interesting to put ourselves, not just in the lame man’s place, but in the place of Peter.
You, just like all the other people mentioned in this passage, have no doubt seen the lame man every time you entered the temple. On at least some days you probably had compassion on him, reaching into your money bag and offering him some coins.
Yet for some reason today was different.
Perhaps it was a rare day you ventured out without with no money and when the familiar cry was heard your lack of money triggered a thought directly from the Spirit of Jesus. Knowing that you had nothing to give somehow gave room for God to say, “Let me give!”
However it unfolded, two things seem clear.
The first has to do with timing. For the one day on which God said, “Heal him now”, there were many on which His silence was saying, “Not yet”.
This insight teaches us something very important about God and ministry. Timing is everything. Awareness of a need does not constitute a call to act now. Sometimes this awareness needs to germinate – to grow and develop within us – before God calls us to act.
This thought leads on to a second insight which perhaps explains at least part of the reason for waiting.
It is significant that, before performing the miracle, Peter uttered these words: “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have.” (v.6).
Before God can accomplish anything through us, we have to be brought to the place where Peter found himself that day.
A place called “nothing”.
Nothing to give, nothing to offer, nothing within ourselves of any value.
When we reach such a place we feel overwhelmed by the task before us and thoroughly inadequate to tackle it, much less succeed. It is a place where the only hope of success is Jesus and the power of His name.
Here is an illustration of what it is to serve “in Jesus’ name”. It is to do His bidding precisely when He calls, and to do it with total reliance upon His power and not our own.
It is not an easy lesson to learn. Something within us seems to always want to be in control. We want to set the agenda for when things will happen. We want to quickly look good by achieving quick results. And we want to know that when we act, there is some assurance that results will follow.
The lesson of “nothing” reminds us that anything we hope to achieve lies entirely with God. Without Him we know nothing about timing. We rely on our own ability to figure out what needs doing and when, instead of listening for the promptings of His Spirit showing as when to speak and when to be silent; when to stop and act, and when to keep walking.
Without Him we have nothing to offer. True, we can appear busy and produce a great deal but ultimately nothing of value will come about. Our efforts to heal lives will founder. The lame will remain lame until all we have to offer them is the Great Healer.
Reflection and discussion
What examples do you have of initiatives you have undertaken or things you have said, that illustrate the concept of “right timing” – whether you got the timing right or not?
What things are you longing for God to do in your ministry or in the lives of individuals but as yet God seems to be saying “not yet”? Why might the timing be wrong? Think of some possible reasons.
Describe a time when you felt inadequate to do what God was calling you to do? Did you go ahead and attempt it anyway? How did it turn out?
What are the fears we must confront and overcome if we are step out and do something that requires total reliance upon God?
Application
What initiatives could God be calling us to undertake as a youth ministry that would require us to totally depend on Him and His resources?