So, Peter and John were on their way to church for the afternoon prayer service and later the evening broadcast. As they walked toward the main entrance, they saw a man being set down near the entrance. Those who carried him then handed him a cup and drove away.
As Peter and John approached, the man shook his cup. Peter looked at him: I don’t have it, and if I did, I still wouldn’t give it, cuz you don’t need it. This just keeps you comfortable in this begging condition.
And look at me. Why don’t you look people in the eye? Is it because when you do, you see their sorrow and pity, but also their irritation and contempt for you?
The begging man was getting mad as hell. I didn’t ask for all that. Who he think he is? And what he mean he ain’t got it. That’s what I say ‘bout church folk- hypocrites. He started to cuss Peter out. Then Peter’s undisputed truth hit him like a hammer. He needed gas money to give to his friends and have them stop by KFC. Plus, what could he do, fight?
He had never fought or stood for anything. He’d let life carry him along, and here he is, sitting on the sidewalk watching as the world, his life goes by; shaking a cup…that never runs over.
Peter reached out his hand. The man looked Peter straight in the eye and saw love…tough love and put his hand in Peter’s. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, walk – get up! Get on up! He felt a shock in his ankles and legs, and before he knew it, not only was he walking but jumping up and down like Michael Jordan.
As he walked into church with Peter and John, he saw the expressions on people’s faces as they looked at him. He smiled, looking them all in the eye, thanking God they would never look at him the same way, and he would never look at himself that way either.
Reference – Acts 3:6-10
