Not Silver or Gold, but the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth
"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.' Taking him (the lame man) by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong."
(Acts 3: 6, 7)
It was a typical day for Peter and John, and they were going up to the temple at the time of prayer at three in the afternoon. They would not have imagined that this day would become remarkable in the history of the church to which they would be the pioneer workers. Their master, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who had risen from the dead and ascended to heaven, had already asked Peter to take care of things after him; Jesus had said "feed my sheep" (John 21:17). Peter was somewhat overwhelmed by the recent events: the day of Pentecost, one Holy Spirit-led extraordinary sermon that won nearly three thousand souls right then. Indeed, Peter was alert for the next unexpected and surprising event.
We find in Acts 3: 2-10 that, on that day, as Peter and John went up to the temple to pray, there was "a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, 'Look at us!' So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 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.' Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him." When we look at this incident from a very personal and mission-oriented approach, the actions and words of this event mean a lot more than what we could generally understand from this.
Peter's Whole Dependency on the Name of Christ Jesus
Knowing well that the lame man was expecting money from them, Peter responds by saying "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: 6). I find this to be a very important lesson as we grow to be the servants of God. Peter did not depend on his silver or his gold, but his total dependency was on Christ Jesus the Lord. In fact, at that moment, Peter did not have anything; surely he wouldn't have lied about this.
I was wondering whether Peter preferred the healing in Jesus's name to the giving of money; but then I thought that Peter did not really have any money with him and he made that statement! Carrying currency with him was not Peter's priority, but he surely did carry the name of Jesus Christ with him. And when the need arose, and when the right moment was near, Peter, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, healed the lame man.
Peter was ready to present Jesus. He had nothing else to boast about and nothing else to present other than Jesus. Peter's ministry was driven by the power, authority and glory that was in the name of Jesus Christ. The name of Jesus was always at the center of Peter's gospel and life. And Peter's ministry was always full of the name of Jesus, that the wonderful works of this mighty name was abundatly visible in his ministry. Peter's whole dependency was on Christ, and the mighty name of Jesus Christ was his only drive.
Presenting the Name of Christ Jesus While We Minister
The event is also a reminder for many of us who are willing to serve every day in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Peter stands before us as a typical example of how we could serve in the name of our Lord. Setting priorities right, placing the name of Jesus at the center of his ministry, Peter minsitered on this day, bringing a life-changing healing to the lame man who did not have the slightest clue of what was going to happen.
The lame man expected money, but Peter presented the name of Jesus. The lame man wanted material gain that would keep him through the day, but Peter gave him that healing in the name of Jesus that changed his life forever. Peter ministered on that day, and all that he did was, he shared the glorious name of Christ Jesus. He knew how powerful the name was. Peter knew how much of difference the name would make in the person's life. And, that was the exemplerary ministry that we find in Peter's life as a disciple of Jesus. He ministered in the name of Christ Jesus of Nazareth and he was willing to share that name and the belongingness, the glory and the embrace that name would bring in this person's life. The blessing of healing was coupled with the assurance of Christ Jesus, and that is where Peter stands out as an example of a true disciple.
A Call to Minister and to Share
This is the great calling to serve God as we keep His glorious and powerful name at the center of our lives and ministry. On the one side, we are called to serve souls waiting to receive healing and blessing from the Lord, and on the other, we are invited to be the ambassadors of the name of Christ Jesus of Nazareth. We are called to share his name and his healing. And, let our ministry reach souls that they see the change and difference that the name of Jesus could bring in their lives and also could recieve Jesus Christ and the salvation.
I pray that, as we continue to be true disciples of Jesus Christ and as we work for the extension of His church on this earth, we will minister with the name of Jesus at the center of our lives and share the healing and love that He has for the people of this world. The great mission is at hand, because we are called to truly love Him like Peter! May the power and blessings of God the Father, the love and grace of Christ Jesus the Son, and the fellowship and guidance of the Holy Spirit be with us and help us as we keep serving the Lord every day.
May God bless you.
Yours in Christ,
"In Jesus Name" (God of Possible)
by Don Moen
