“But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene– walk!” ACTS 3:6
REFLECTION:
Led by the caffeine incense aroma and free WIFI “sniffing”, found myself unloading my knapsack on the seat by the glass window and a double plug socket on the other side, already seeing myslef in a perfection for my daily devotion. Sunrays touched my face and as I squinted away, burly-greyed hair stuck on the dried-drool-stooped face. At the slip of time, she looked away as I caught her gaze at me. The stench has lifted the whole inertia of me to move somewhere. But her eyes has made glued onto my seat and found myself misty-eyed whilst half of my body froze of puzzlement.There are many opinions on the question of how to respond to beggars and panhandlers, admittedly is one of the most difficult situations to respond as a christian. Sequel to the book gospel of Luke, the author highlighted the apostles, mainly Peter and Paul through the enabling of The Holy Spirit in building and establishment of the early ministry of the Church as Christ’s bride following His ascension. In this particular verse, where Peter and John gone up to the temple at the ninth hour to pray (v.1). And spotted a lame beggar asking for money.
The pungent smell suggestive of incontinence has rather found myself wincing as I embattled my place between the saying from Matt. 6:2 “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, so that they will be praised by people. “; and the age-old saying re: self reliance, “Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he will eat for a lifetime.” Let this time, re-focus onto the lame beggar whom not named for his very identity has resemblance on us. Spiritually hungry,corrupt and incapable since birth. He thought that the world’s superficial resources and promises; and temporal laws and materials could make him “walk” but only by the power of the JESUS CHRIST’s mighty Name, he was totally healed and eventually walk. “Name” is from the Greek root word “onoma”. It’s not just an identifier. “Name” encompasses the essence of the person: in this case, Jesus’ character, sovereignty, authority, power, deity and identity as God. Peter doesn’t use “Jesus Christ of Nazareth” as a magical spell. He has faith in the Person of Jesus. He has the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; 2:1–4). He has authority from Jesus to heal if it is for Jesus’ purposes (John 16:23). So he has the confidence that Jesus will heal and honor his words (John 14:13–14).
PRAYER
Oh God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth and everything in between. To Thee we praise and worship with all our might, soul and mind. You have revealed Thyself through the sinless blood of Thy begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ as a sacrificial Lamb and High Priest to grant us righteousness in Thine eyes. Father we lift our wicked hearts to be cleansed from the stain of lies and lust of self-centeredness in extending charity and love to the less fortunates and the outcasts. Help us see ourselves and grant us wisdom in our need of genuine repentance for us to have a full deliverance and healing by Thy saving grace and mercy. In Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen.
