By Peter Biggs

How we can see and yet not see people: do we look, and engage?

Introduction:

READ ACTS 3 v 1-11

1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon. 2Now a man crippled 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. 3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.

We join Peter and John on the way to church. Something many of us do every week. Every day this guy was 'in their faces'. But THIS week something was different.

4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!"

Pause... ponder this... how we can see and yet not see people. See what is in the spirit of a person. The eyes are indeed a window to the soul. I have no doubt that the Spirit was speaking to Peter through a 'seeing with his heart' - simple compassion.

5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

This was nothing to the beggar... no faith anything was going to happen in him.

6Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."

This is courage on the part of Peter!

7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up,

Notice how specific Luke (a medical doctor) is - it was his right hand. Miracles may start with a simple hand.

and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10they 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.
11While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade.

Can you see what is new about the Spirit filled life? New eyes...

• a miracle before the MIRACLE
The real miracle is found in those little words in v 2 Every day...

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Peter and John had passed by that way perhaps scores of times and never before noticed this poor man. No doubt every time the man appealed to them.

Put yourself in their shoes. It's a shabby clad street person who shuffles along at the lights with a cardboard sign 'Spare change?" ... you know the look, the 'dishonest' eyes, the 'hang-dog' countenance... does he really have a limp?

What goes through your mind when someone begs from you?

"I'm not going to give them money... they'll spend it on drink or drugs"

"I'm not going to support this irresponsible life-style"

"This is awkward, oh what's a few cents...HERE..."

"Doesn't Jesus say to give to whoever asks? Do I have a Christian duty to?"

"Look straight ahead, I can't deal with this"

Peter and John first STOP... First they look at him, then they have him look at them, then they look into his eyes. The window of the soul.
What did they see or think... We know! Peter tells us in chapter 4v9... he simply speaks of an act of kindness.

Here is the miracle before the miracle, they no longer passed by on the other side of the road.
Filled with the Holy Spirit they now see him with new eyes...

Blessed are the merciful, Matthew 5v7

I can say that God wants to connect with people... people all around us. Perhaps we have passed them by for years. Tomorrow is different.

That person who irritates you... you PAUSE - LOOK - PRAY. They may not know their true need, but God may give you faith for them. A faith founded in simple kindness and mercy.

Perhaps right now God will speak a name bring a face to mind in your life.

• Healed yet Held

11 While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade.

When I administered a residential home for the disabled, I once prayed for a man with cerebral palsy... the Holy Spirit came upon him... He was scared he held me. We both felt he might walk, I wondered later if he would have wanted healing. It is not a simple issue. Perhaps for some suffering is easier than healing.

We are all in need of being held at times of great upheaval ... change is frightening. Even healing.

January 27/2010