October 1, 2026 - Acts 3

“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour” (3:1-2).  There they encountered a lame man who pleaded for them to give him money.  Peter told the man to look at them (I think this is an important detail.  Peter is saying, “Pay close attention, here, to what I say and what I do.”), and he did.  Peter then said to him, “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!” (3:6).  We might not have a lot of worldly wealth to share with others but we have, with Peter and John, something much, much more valuable to give.  The man was enabled to walk and Peter was deliberate in explaining the miracle was because of Jesus Christ (another very important detail; well, perhaps the most important detail).  The people saw the man walking and praising God and they were amazed.  A crowd now before him, Peter took advantage of the moment and emphasized that “the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all” (3:16).  And he added, “What God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.  Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out” (3:18-19).  Whatever else we do, we must give them Jesus!

Jesus, the Name high over all,

in hell or earth or sky;

angels and mortals prostrate fall,

and devils fear and fly.

Jesus, the Name to sinners dear,

the Name to sinners giv’n;

it scatters all their guilty fear,

it turns their hell to heav'n.

O that the world might taste and see

the riches of His grace!

The arms of love that compass me

would all the world embrace.

Thee I shall constantly proclaim,

tho' earth and hell oppose;

bold to confess Thy glorious Name

before a world of foes.   –Charles Wesley (1749)