Emily Nelson
Acts 3:1-10
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. 2And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. 3When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. 4 Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,stand up and walk.”7And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9All the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
This story is what I hope and pray for ministry this next year. It’s interesting to me how during the pandemic, the government has given out a lot of money. Money is apparently what we need most during a time of crisis. I’m not criticizing. Just observing. It fascinates me that this response has come from leaders on both sides of the political spectrum at different times. I thought we’d see a real financial need because of COVID, but that’s actually been the least of the concerns I’ve seen people face (often directly because of government relief). Many churches were wonderful, including ours. They responded very generously to financial needs that arose. But more often, especially as COVID drags on, I’ve heard from people dealing with anxiety, depression, loss of loved ones to suicide. People need real hope. In this story, Peter and John face someone’s need and expectation of them. They don’t have what he probably thinks he needs. They don’t have what he expects. But what they do have, they give with confidence and authority. And it’s so much better. I pray that this is what ministry looks like for those who call upon the name of Jesus this year and minister in our communities. That we are bold enough to allow the expectations of what we should have to give – fall off our shoulders.
We don’t need what we think sometimes. Neither do others. Lord, move in our midst so that people are healed and strengthened, and praise you with wonder and amazement.
Henry Nouwen makes this observation in his book, “In the Name of Jesus”:
“The secular world around us is saying in a loud voice, ‘We can take care of ourselves. We do not need God, the church, or a priest. We are in control. And if we are not, then we have to work harder to get in control…we no longer need spiritual answers to practical questions.’
In this climate of secularization, Christian leaders feel less and less relevant and more and more marginal. Many begin to wonder why they should stay in ministry…but there is a completely different story to tell. Beneath all the great accomplishments of our time there is a deep current of despair…
More and more people are suffering from profound moral and spiritual handicaps without having any idea of where to look for healing. It is here that the need for a new Christian leadership becomes clear.”
Jesus alone brings strength, wholeness, healing. Lord, open my eyes to see how I can shed the expectations that aren’t from you. Show me how to give confidently in the name of Jesus.