”Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."
Acts 3:6New International Version (NIV)
Acts 3:6 Devotional
Do you have Jesus Christ?
Peter’s declaration in Acts 3:6 is what births the question: “Do you have Jesus Christ?” That is, as a believer, you do have Jesus Christ?
Nevertheless, Acts chapter 3 verse 6 is nested in a passage where Peter and John are recorded to have healed a crippled beggar in the Name of Jesus. Therefore, the healing was evidence that they had Jesus.
Delegated Authority
This, therefore, means that when you have Jesus, you can utilize His delegated authority and power (2 Corinthians 12:12) to extend compassion to those in need. Since by observation, we note that Peter had compassion for the crippled beggar. Unlike most people who don’t normally have time for people like this.
Coincidentally, in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, only one man out of three had time for the man who had been robbed and injured by robbers (Luke 10:25-37). Therefore, just like in the parable, many people today don’t have time for those in need.
Maybe it’s because we have been socialized to mind our own business. Or, we don’t have compassion for those in need?!
Could it be that we are applying the teaching that we only associate with those who are of benefit to us. And therefore, where we perceive no benefit, even danger, we keep off?!
But God forbid! You don’t have to only help those who can benefit you. You can help anyone just like Peter who helped the beggar who was of no benefit to him.
Money can’t solve many of the problems we experience
Nonetheless, Peter knew that money wouldn’t solve the beggar’s problem. He knew that the beggar needed to walk more than he needed money. Money could only solve his immediate problem, most probably paying for his basic needs.
But healing would help him to become a productive citizen. And he would be able to fend for himself for the rest of his life.
Therefore, the root of his problem was crippleness, not lack of basic needs, which was a symptom of his real problem. This is why Peter solved the beggar’s real problem through Jesus Christ.
Consequently, he believed that Jesus could solve the beggar’s life-long problem. Peter had faith in the power that is in the Name of Jesus Christ.
Thus Peter said: “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk”. And in this way, he acted on Jesus’ behalf as his servant.
Therefore, you too can attend to the needs of those who come to you for help. Remember, Jesus is the invaluable One, and He lives in you. And through invoking His Name in faith, you will enable Him to perform signs, wonders, and miracles that will be the solutions to the problems of the needy people you encounter.
Prayer/Blessing
Lord, I thank You for empowering me to minister to the needs of the needy. I pray that You will always be exalted in my ministry. This I pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
May you activate your kingship and priestly mandate in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Isaiah 1-4 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
