Brother, Can You Spare Some Time?

When the lame man saw Peter and John about to go into the temple courts, he asked them for money. Peter looked directly at him (as did John) and said, “Look at us!” So the lame man paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them. (Acts 3:3-5)

In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Sam shared (paraphrased here) that the modern and ancient myth was that problems are solved only by those who have money.

In some instances, it is easier to write a check than to go through the rigors of spiritual service. In Acts 3, the lame man at Gate Beautiful had become accustomed to getting donations of cash. But Peter and John came along with a donation of attention, conversation, and Divine healing.

Peter looked directly at him (as did John) and said, “Look at us!” (Acts 3:4) Our pastor noted that the response of Peter and John was not just a response of “simple relief”. Simple relief throws coins and moves on. But when believers see human need, 1) money does not have to be part of the equation and 2) time is taken for genuine interaction.

Pastor Sam, in saying “You are an extension of the presence of God”, gave us the key to our interaction with those in need: “Look at us” mirrors the response of our God, who has called us to “Look and live.”

The ministry of Peter and John is a reminder of God’s mercy towards us. In Numbers 21:4-9 we have the account of the ancient Israel’s grumbling, and the resultant curse of poisonous snakes in their camp. Moses, under God’s instruction, made a bronze snake on a pole. The people (bitten by poisonous snakes) that obeyed God by looking up at the cast snake would live.

Our Lord Jesus, in describing His own saving power, made reference to this event: “Even as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, in the same way the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that whoever believes in Him will live forever.” (John 3:14-15) Today we can say to the disenfranchised and needy, “Look at us!” Not because we can offer anything on our own merit, but because we carry the presence of Christ, the One whose compassion and power far exceeds the value of any donation we could offer in our own strength.

Lord, we look to You! And Lord, we point others to You. May they always see You in us.