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.” And 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!” Ad 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 happened to him.
Acts 3:1-10, ESV
A selfless community of God’s people developed that would ultimately transform human history. A ball was rolling that would not and could not be stopped, not even by the devil himself (Matthew 16:18). But the church would not be content with its initial Jerusalem success. It’s mission was a world-wide one. It would take time and not come easily, but it would eventually take place.
In the above text, Acts 3:1-10, we have a fascinating situation developing. I, personally, have taken this story for granted. I continue to be amazed at how fresh readings of the text open up insights to us never before considered! The story of Peter and the invalid from birth at the temple’s Beautiful Gate could, possibly, speak to this discussion. Have you ever considered how Peter approached the situation? If not, maybe you should.
It was prayer time at the temple. Peter, along with John, are making their way there. An invalid panhandler (BTW…Remember this fact next time you see a panhandler standing at an intersection holding a cardboard sign. Peter didn’t ignore him.) who regularly asked alms of the people at the temple’s Beautiful Gate had been brought there about the time Peter and John appear. He sees Peter and John, asking alms of them. They had no “silver and gold,” but they did have something for him. It was healing. Peter says to him, “In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he does. The healing, though, isn’t what shocks me. It’s that Peter didn’t do what some might have expected. For some reason, he healed the man of his ailment and saves the message of the gospel for later. Oh yes. Peter is going declare, for the second time at the temple, the gospel in the name of the resurrected Christ. But he doesn’t do it first. He first sees to one need, then later will address the other.
Today there is no small discussion, and at times debate, over how the mission of God is accomplished in the world. One side contends that the gospel should be taught first and aid should come second. But there is also a growing contingent that suggests Jesus was much more concerned about the social injustices of his day, and that he used the channels of correcting those injustices as a means of reaching people with the gospel. That Jesus did this simply cannot be denied. But who says the two approaches are mutually exclusive?
What I find most unfortunate is that with all of this come the extremes. There are those who promote social justice at the expense of the gospel. Moreover, the other extreme exists, caring only about the gospel and little about social injustices. At one time, I fell into this category. Jesus, though, showed me a better way!
Meeting certain needs before sharing the gospel isn’t compromise, as some might suggest. It is one of a myriad of approaches that are both good and acceptable. The situation warranted the approach, and that’s good enough for me. I hope it is good enough for you.
