Acts 3:4-7
And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
The man’s life had followed a pattern. He could not support himself in his state, so he relied on the charity of others for that support. When the man approached John and Peter, he thought he knew how this exchange would go. Either they would bless him with some money, or they would tell him they had none. From the exchange above, one other thing seems to be the case. The man likely felt shame at his condition and did not engage directly with those from whom he expected this charity. I can think of no other reason why Peter would direct him to look at them. It stands to reason that his gaze had been elsewhere, perhaps at the ground or at the small treasure he already had collected.
Peter’s words show me two things. First, he needed to engage the recipient of his blessing and make sure that this man understood what was happening. Peter made it clear from this conversation what he was offering and who made it possible. Peter did not pray for the man’s healing behind the scenes but made the process completely transparent for him to see. Second, Peter knew the difference between a temporary blessing like money and a permanent blessing like healing. The money eventually runs out both for the giver and the recipient. The healing, on the other hand, is not exhausted by either one. The recipient remains healed beyond that moment, and the giver can continue to heal others according to God’s will.
Peter had the option to give out of his ability or out of his authority. Unfortunately, he did not have the ability to give anything to satisfy the man’s request. He had nothing of monetary value to share with him. What he carried with him always and everywhere was the authority to heal in the name of Jesus. This he could give not just to one but to many. This he could use not to meet the needs of a day but the needs of a lifetime. Peter was lacking in silver and gold but filled to abundance with life-changing treasure and ready to pass it along. Father, help us to be more conscious of the authority we carry and always ready to exercise that authority to bless others.
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