“A man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg …. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.”
Acts 3:2-3
Perhaps you live where you regularly see someone on a corner or in a park asking for food or money. I know that when I see a person without employment or housing, with various disabilities or illnesses, it tugs at my heart. Think about our encounters with those with little or no faith, those burdened by low self-esteem, petrified by fear, overwhelmed by failure, saddled with grief, lost in sin, rejected by many, plagued with the feeling that God has forgotten them. These fellow pilgrims on life’s journey with us ought to stir our emotions.
It’s easy to remain distant; to be as many were in Acts 2, floating along on the excitement of speaking in tongues, visions of fire, enthusiastic worship, and daily gatherings. But the reality of life won’t allow us to do so. People with deep needs frequent the places we go, including the sanctuaries in which we worship.
There’s a hunger deep inside which cannot be met with bread, money, or government programs. This hunger is satisfied only when the beggar is truly amazed at Jesus Christ.
It’s easy to remain distant; to be as many were in Acts 2, floating along on the excitement of speaking in tongues, visions of fire, enthusiastic worship, and daily gatherings. But the reality of life won’t allow us to do so. People with deep needs frequent the places we go, including the sanctuaries in which we worship.
There’s a hunger deep inside which cannot be met with bread, money, or government programs. This hunger is satisfied only when the beggar is truly amazed at Jesus Christ.
Scripture Focus
Acts 3:1-10
Insight
Our hearts must be broken with the things that break the heart of God. We may be the means through which He reveals His grace.
Bible In A Year
- Exodus 7-8
- Psalm 29
- Mark 9