Carrying Change
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 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. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.”
He fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 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!”
He took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 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.” Acts 3:1-10
INSIGHT
There is a desire in all of us to make a difference in this broken world we call home. This world's issues seem to multiply daily, making those of us who want to make a difference feel overwhelmed.
Many of us feel as though we do not have the resources to bring about change, myself included. I wake up every day, hoping for the chance to change the world and make someone's life better, but I can easily convince myself that I'm not up for the task. I can rattle off excuses to justify sitting on the sidelines - I do not have the financial means, skills, or even position to bring change.
If you are like me and feel unprepared to change the world and change lives, you are in good company. The disciples who followed Jesus struggled with the same reality. We often give them grief for "not just believing" Jesus because they walked and did life with Him face-to-face. But we should be honest and realize we would respond the same way. Even when we see Him working, it is hard to believe. The doubt we have will either divide us further from Jesus or drive us towards Jesus.
The disciples used their doubt as a driver, and they committed their lives to imperfectly following Jesus. The moment their faith became most evident was when Jesus returned to be with His Father, and the disciples continued to live for Jesus. The message they carried was simple: Jesus is alive. By proclaiming it, they altered the entire course of human history. In that simple message, sin, shame, guilt, death, and any imperfection that once held humanity captive no longer has power. The disciples knew that as long as they lived as if Jesus was alive, they would influence the world.
Today's passage with Peter and John reminds me that we carry change with us. In this interaction, they came across a beggar who desperately needed anything they could provide. If they believed that their financial giving was the only difference they could make in that man's life, it would be a sad and short story. But Peter and John realized the change they could give him was far more important than coins.
They provided a change that doesn't hold a monetary value because it is far more valuable. Peter and John gave that beggar a glimpse of Jesus. They did not have any physical change, but they were carrying change in their heart. Their confidence came in the simple yet profound message that Jesus is alive. As a result of the change that comes with Jesus being alive, the beggar could stand up and start living for the first time. The beggar went away worshipping with all that he had, and everyone who knew him as the beggar saw him as a changed man.
You and I walk around with the power of change at all times. The beauty of Jesus being alive means that His message alone is enough to bring transformation to others. We do not need degrees, money, fame, or position; we need the message of hope. When you feel as though you do not have what it takes to bring about change, may you find Peter and John's courage when they brought change. You may not have (fill in the blank), but you know that Jesus is alive, and the same message that changed the course of history can still change lives today.
REFLECTION
What tries to convince you that you cannot bring change?
How can you live out Jesus being alive in a way that changes the people around you?
PRAYER
Father, You conquered any source that tried to bring separation between us. When I feel the temptation fueled by inadequacy, let me remember the message: You are alive. Let my life reveal Your power and help bring change to those around me. I love You Father, and pray in Your name, Amen.
Port City writer Davy Nance wrote today's devotional.
