1 00:00:00,540 --> 00:00:04,580 Speaker 1: But Peter said, I have no silver or gold, but 2 00:00:04,640 --> 00:00:08,000 Speaker 1: what I have I give you. In the name of 3 00:00:08,140 --> 00:00:15,360 Speaker 1: Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk. Acts 3.6 4 00:00:15,360 --> 00:00:20,520 Speaker 1: Heavenly Father, thank you for the powerful reminder of Acts 3.6, 5 00:00:20,520 --> 00:00:23,570 Speaker 1: that it is not silver or gold that truly matters, 6 00:00:24,310 --> 00:00:29,150 Speaker 1: but the immeasurable worth of walking with Jesus. Lord, we 7 00:00:29,190 --> 00:00:33,550 Speaker 1: confess that we often get distracted by worldly pursuits and 8 00:00:33,590 --> 00:00:37,530 Speaker 1: material desires. Help us to focus on what truly matters, 9 00:00:38,340 --> 00:00:43,120 Speaker 1: your presence, your love, and the power that comes from 10 00:00:43,180 --> 00:00:47,479 Speaker 1: a life surrendered to Christ. Remind us daily that our 11 00:00:47,620 --> 00:00:52,660 Speaker 1: true riches are found in you alone. Strengthen our faith. 12 00:00:53,430 --> 00:00:57,690 Speaker 1: and guide us to prioritize the eternal power over the temporary, 13 00:00:58,350 --> 00:01:02,889 Speaker 1: seeking your kingdom first in all we do. May our 14 00:01:02,970 --> 00:01:07,709 Speaker 1: lives reflect the fullness of joy that comes from walking 15 00:01:07,950 --> 00:01:14,630 Speaker 1: with Jesus. In his precious name, amen. Thank you for 16 00:01:14,670 --> 00:01:18,750 Speaker 1: praying with me today. You're listening to The Jesus Podcast. 17 00:01:19,750 --> 00:01:23,770 Speaker 1: Remain here for our mini-series, on the birth of the church. 18 00:01:25,110 --> 00:01:28,050 Speaker 1: If this podcast has blessed you, we would love it 19 00:01:28,390 --> 00:01:32,140 Speaker 1: if you left a review. Doing so makes a huge 20 00:01:32,300 --> 00:01:37,480 Speaker 1: impact on our team. The Mount of Olives overlooked the 21 00:01:37,540 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 1: valley toward Jerusalem. The stone walls of the great city 22 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:46,750 Speaker 1: erupted from the ground in might. The Mount of Olives 23 00:01:46,770 --> 00:01:50,260 Speaker 1: had found its own means of protection. with rows of 24 00:01:50,380 --> 00:01:54,900 Speaker 1: olive trees lining the earthen mound. Peter and John walked 25 00:01:54,940 --> 00:01:57,580 Speaker 1: about the garden, nestled into the base of the hill. 26 00:01:58,390 --> 00:02:02,230 Speaker 1: The pair strolled leisurely through the Garden of Gethsemane. They 27 00:02:02,250 --> 00:02:05,530 Speaker 1: had spent the morning with the other apostles, visiting the 28 00:02:05,570 --> 00:02:10,139 Speaker 1: homes of various believers who opened their doors. After lunch, 29 00:02:10,200 --> 00:02:12,700 Speaker 1: they had retired to the cool shade of the garden. 30 00:02:13,500 --> 00:02:17,160 Speaker 1: They crunched the brittle leaves under their feet. Reminiscing of 31 00:02:17,240 --> 00:02:22,380 Speaker 1: days long past. Their years of following Jesus throughout Galilee. 32 00:02:23,060 --> 00:02:26,900 Speaker 1: The grueling days of providing for their families as meager fishermen. 33 00:02:27,580 --> 00:02:31,500 Speaker 1: And the nostalgia of boyhood. They would run through the 34 00:02:31,560 --> 00:02:35,070 Speaker 1: streets of Bethsaida without a care in the world. 35 00:02:35,730 --> 00:02:37,990 Speaker 2: Do you remember the day that James and I got 36 00:02:38,070 --> 00:02:42,350 Speaker 2: caught stealing pears from old man Nathan's fruit stand after Bethsaida? 37 00:02:43,590 --> 00:02:46,110 Speaker 2: Hugh and Andrew sure saved our skins on that one. 38 00:02:46,639 --> 00:02:49,880 Speaker 1: Peter chuckled as his mind dusted off the antiquated memory. 39 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:53,339 Speaker 1: He and Andrew had run into the Sons of Zebedee, 40 00:02:54,220 --> 00:02:59,079 Speaker 1: fleeing from the disgruntled shopkeeper. Being their only hope of escape, 41 00:02:59,840 --> 00:03:03,120 Speaker 1: Peter and Andrew had knocked over several ephahs of flour 42 00:03:03,540 --> 00:03:06,930 Speaker 1: to create a distraction long enough for the brothers to flee. 43 00:03:08,510 --> 00:03:11,330 Speaker 3: How could I forget? It was the week we finished 44 00:03:11,370 --> 00:03:14,090 Speaker 3: school and The only reason we didn't get into more 45 00:03:14,169 --> 00:03:17,290 Speaker 3: trouble is because Araba needed us focused enough to catch 46 00:03:17,330 --> 00:03:17,810 Speaker 3: the nest. 47 00:03:19,650 --> 00:03:22,650 Speaker 2: Did we ever tell you what happened after that? I mean, 48 00:03:23,169 --> 00:03:26,269 Speaker 2: probably not. I think James and I were both too embarrassed. 49 00:03:26,889 --> 00:03:30,440 Speaker 1: Peter gave a puzzled look to his companion. After all 50 00:03:30,510 --> 00:03:33,799 Speaker 1: these years, he had assumed he had heard all of 51 00:03:33,900 --> 00:03:38,240 Speaker 1: James and John's tales. Peter's face told John that he 52 00:03:38,260 --> 00:03:39,800 Speaker 1: should carry on with the story. 53 00:03:40,300 --> 00:03:43,310 Speaker 2: Well, I Don't think we ever told you why we 54 00:03:43,350 --> 00:03:44,330 Speaker 2: were stealing that day. 55 00:03:44,350 --> 00:03:48,410 Speaker 3: Oh, you mean it wasn't because you and James were 56 00:03:48,510 --> 00:03:51,140 Speaker 3: spoiled twerps? Ha, twerps? 57 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:56,460 Speaker 2: Yeah, I guess we were. Spoiled? No way. You see, 58 00:03:57,160 --> 00:03:59,760 Speaker 2: that was around the same time Abba was having trouble 59 00:03:59,820 --> 00:04:03,780 Speaker 2: meeting demands on fish. And no fish means no money. 60 00:04:04,540 --> 00:04:07,160 Speaker 2: There was hardly enough food to go around and, well... 61 00:04:07,600 --> 00:04:09,520 Speaker 2: James and I thought we could help out by finding 62 00:04:09,560 --> 00:04:12,200 Speaker 2: our own meals during the day. Oh. 63 00:04:13,700 --> 00:04:19,339 Speaker 3: I'm sorry. I didn't know. If I had, I never 64 00:04:19,380 --> 00:04:20,640 Speaker 3: would have done anything like that. 65 00:04:22,200 --> 00:04:24,620 Speaker 2: It's alright. I mean, what are friends for if not 66 00:04:24,640 --> 00:04:28,140 Speaker 2: a good jab every once in a while? But that's 67 00:04:28,180 --> 00:04:30,800 Speaker 2: not the important part of the story. You see, what's 68 00:04:30,900 --> 00:04:33,930 Speaker 2: really wild is old man Nathan came to our house 69 00:04:33,990 --> 00:04:34,750 Speaker 2: later that day. 70 00:04:35,440 --> 00:04:37,070 Speaker 1: We thought he was going to rat us out, but 71 00:04:37,730 --> 00:04:40,370 Speaker 1: Tears started to pool in the creases of John's eyes. 72 00:04:41,010 --> 00:04:44,460 Speaker 2: But he came in with baskets of food. It was 73 00:04:44,500 --> 00:04:46,900 Speaker 2: the only way we survived until we could actually help 74 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:47,919 Speaker 2: Abba with the boats. 75 00:04:48,760 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 1: Peter felt himself holding back tears of his own. He 76 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:54,620 Speaker 1: scanned the outline of the city in the afternoon light. 77 00:04:55,460 --> 00:04:59,029 Speaker 1: Thousands of people were moving about their own business, each 78 00:04:59,570 --> 00:05:02,790 Speaker 1: with a unique story to tell. They weren't just numbers 79 00:05:02,910 --> 00:05:06,190 Speaker 1: to be added to the church. They were souls to 80 00:05:06,230 --> 00:05:11,150 Speaker 1: be cared for. and loved. And just like old man Nathan, 81 00:05:11,870 --> 00:05:16,450 Speaker 1: it all started with one act of kindness. One deliberate 82 00:05:16,500 --> 00:05:22,040 Speaker 1: decision to graciously provide what someone needed, rather than pouring 83 00:05:22,100 --> 00:05:24,740 Speaker 1: out retribution for what they deserved. 84 00:05:27,380 --> 00:05:31,920 Speaker 3: We should probably get back. The others will be waiting 85 00:05:31,980 --> 00:05:32,320 Speaker 3: for us. 86 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:36,300 Speaker 1: Peter placed his arm around John's neck and caught his eyes. 87 00:05:37,220 --> 00:05:41,020 Speaker 1: It wasn't until this moment that Peter realized just how 88 00:05:41,180 --> 00:05:45,240 Speaker 1: far they had come. He noted his friend's childlike eyes, 89 00:05:45,900 --> 00:05:49,600 Speaker 1: now sunken into a face withered by the complexities of life. 90 00:05:50,420 --> 00:05:55,790 Speaker 1: Their years of youth had seamlessly blended into adulthood. But 91 00:05:55,880 --> 00:05:58,950 Speaker 1: now it was as if their time with Jesus had 92 00:05:59,029 --> 00:06:02,529 Speaker 1: been like a pot hung to heat over a rippling fire, 93 00:06:03,150 --> 00:06:07,130 Speaker 1: boiling over with a voracity since the outpouring of the Spirit. 94 00:06:07,860 --> 00:06:10,820 Speaker 1: Peter guarded his heart against being overwhelmed by the fact. 95 00:06:11,520 --> 00:06:15,380 Speaker 1: He reminded himself that the Spirit was calling them to small, 96 00:06:15,900 --> 00:06:20,470 Speaker 1: deliberate acts of faith at a time, just one step 97 00:06:20,750 --> 00:06:22,090 Speaker 1: forward each day. 98 00:06:31,950 --> 00:06:34,950 Speaker 4: Sometimes what we think we need and what we actually 99 00:06:35,010 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 4: need are two different things. It takes an open heart 100 00:06:37,880 --> 00:06:41,060 Speaker 4: and a keen eye to see the difference. Welcome to 101 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:44,620 Speaker 4: the Jesus Podcast. I'm Zach, your host from Pray.com, here 102 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:47,060 Speaker 4: to guide you through another saga on the birth of 103 00:06:47,110 --> 00:06:50,070 Speaker 4: the church. If you haven't yet followed this podcast and 104 00:06:50,089 --> 00:06:52,370 Speaker 4: you've been enjoying it so far, make sure to do so, 105 00:06:52,570 --> 00:06:55,710 Speaker 4: so you never miss an episode. Today, we find ourselves 106 00:06:55,870 --> 00:06:58,970 Speaker 4: at the gate called Beautiful, a name that sounds like 107 00:06:59,010 --> 00:07:01,589 Speaker 4: it was plucked from a travel brochure, but is actually 108 00:07:01,630 --> 00:07:03,730 Speaker 4: the setting for one of the most powerful stories in 109 00:07:03,750 --> 00:07:06,700 Speaker 4: the book of Acts. Acts 3, 1-10 tells us about 110 00:07:06,740 --> 00:07:09,860 Speaker 4: a man whose life was forever changed, not by the 111 00:07:09,900 --> 00:07:12,610 Speaker 4: silver and gold that he expected, but by the power 112 00:07:12,880 --> 00:07:13,790 Speaker 4: of Jesus Christ. 113 00:07:16,890 --> 00:07:20,030 Speaker 1: The entrance to the temple courtyards rumbled with the low, 114 00:07:20,150 --> 00:07:24,030 Speaker 1: steady beat of footsteps. Men and women marched up the 115 00:07:24,070 --> 00:07:27,170 Speaker 1: steps of the temple mount as they flowed in and 116 00:07:27,330 --> 00:07:31,770 Speaker 1: out of worship. Some came to genuinely worship the living God, 117 00:07:32,630 --> 00:07:37,530 Speaker 1: while others came and wrote rituals as dutiful Jews. An 118 00:07:37,590 --> 00:07:41,690 Speaker 1: exception to both of these was Ira. He had been 119 00:07:41,750 --> 00:07:44,850 Speaker 1: lame since the days of his youth and had settled 120 00:07:44,990 --> 00:07:47,870 Speaker 1: in to the life of a beggar. Daily he would 121 00:07:47,890 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 1: be carried to the temple gates in hopes of catching 122 00:07:51,620 --> 00:07:55,520 Speaker 1: the spare change of worshippers compelled to demonstrate an act 123 00:07:55,580 --> 00:07:59,440 Speaker 1: of generosity. He would tuck himself into a disheveled heap 124 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:03,540 Speaker 1: on one of the stone steps, wooden bowl by his side. 125 00:08:04,470 --> 00:08:09,380 Speaker 1: This was his most cherished possession. Years of coins being 126 00:08:09,580 --> 00:08:13,800 Speaker 1: unaffectionately strewn into the cup and littered the inside with 127 00:08:13,900 --> 00:08:19,340 Speaker 1: dents and bruises. Ira couldn't help but relate. Every coin 128 00:08:19,420 --> 00:08:22,880 Speaker 1: placed in the small dish was a reminder of his 129 00:08:23,140 --> 00:08:29,520 Speaker 1: unfortunate handicap in life, bruising his confidence and sense of identity. 130 00:08:30,620 --> 00:08:34,200 Speaker 1: He had to fight himself from assuming others' generosity, was 131 00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:38,900 Speaker 1: rooted in pity. He studied the courtyard as several of 132 00:08:38,960 --> 00:08:42,220 Speaker 1: his companions jostled him down the colonnades on a stretcher. 133 00:08:42,660 --> 00:08:46,040 Speaker 5: Just a little further, Titsa. Not too close to the 134 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:49,929 Speaker 5: offering boxes. I'll have better luck with people coming in 135 00:08:50,030 --> 00:08:50,849 Speaker 5: than going out. 136 00:08:51,490 --> 00:08:54,910 Speaker 1: The woman carrying Ira's bed closest to his head chortled. 137 00:08:55,770 --> 00:08:57,890 Speaker 6: I have to give it to you, Ira. You've got 138 00:08:57,929 --> 00:09:00,710 Speaker 6: this place mapped out better than the priests themselves. 139 00:09:01,390 --> 00:09:04,390 Speaker 1: Ira winced at the agony. His family was of the 140 00:09:04,429 --> 00:09:07,829 Speaker 1: tribe of Levi. He had often wondered if he would 141 00:09:07,870 --> 00:09:12,390 Speaker 1: have been a priest under vastly different circumstances. But he 142 00:09:12,410 --> 00:09:15,080 Speaker 1: didn't let the thought linger for too long, for he 143 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:18,520 Speaker 1: knew that was when the bitter roots started to grow. 144 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:23,260 Speaker 1: As a beggar, he was often ignored, if not mocked 145 00:09:23,780 --> 00:09:28,280 Speaker 1: or unintentionally abused, with the kicks and shoves of distracted 146 00:09:28,380 --> 00:09:32,780 Speaker 1: Jews hurrying on their way into the temple. On one occasion, 147 00:09:32,820 --> 00:09:35,960 Speaker 1: a young man had accidentally struck Ira's bull with his foot, 148 00:09:36,940 --> 00:09:42,229 Speaker 1: sending his collections to scatter across the walkway. Several passers-by 149 00:09:42,330 --> 00:09:46,050 Speaker 1: bent over to retrieve the fallen money. He assumed they 150 00:09:46,070 --> 00:09:50,590 Speaker 1: were helping the lame man regather his modest revenue, but 151 00:09:50,610 --> 00:09:54,850 Speaker 1: could only idly watch as the coins were discreetly slipped 152 00:09:55,270 --> 00:09:59,600 Speaker 1: into greedy pockets. Ira had watched other beggars like himself 153 00:10:00,390 --> 00:10:05,429 Speaker 1: grow malcontent against the cold world. They would have ridiculed 154 00:10:05,490 --> 00:10:09,929 Speaker 1: the selflessness of society, though never to any effect. But 155 00:10:10,130 --> 00:10:13,750 Speaker 1: Ira refused to resign himself to the burden of a 156 00:10:13,809 --> 00:10:19,209 Speaker 1: bitter heart. His only consolation was convincing himself that perhaps 157 00:10:19,309 --> 00:10:22,990 Speaker 1: their needs... were greater than his own. He knew it 158 00:10:23,030 --> 00:10:26,670 Speaker 1: was only a facade to protect himself from losing hope 159 00:10:27,550 --> 00:10:30,880 Speaker 1: in there being a threat of goodness still left in 160 00:10:30,900 --> 00:10:34,860 Speaker 1: the world. Ira felt his bearers come to a halt. 161 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:36,280 Speaker 6: How's this spot? 162 00:10:36,640 --> 00:10:38,300 Speaker 5: This should do just fine. 163 00:10:38,720 --> 00:10:39,780 Speaker 6: Do you need anything else? 164 00:10:40,280 --> 00:10:42,060 Speaker 3: A new set of legs would be great. 165 00:10:43,220 --> 00:10:45,220 Speaker 6: I'll let you know what we can find in the market. 166 00:10:45,940 --> 00:10:48,540 Speaker 6: We'll be back this evening. Now don't go wandering off 167 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:49,179 Speaker 6: in the meantime. 168 00:10:49,740 --> 00:10:53,070 Speaker 1: Ira laughed. Making light of his situation was all he 169 00:10:53,090 --> 00:10:55,910 Speaker 1: could do after decades of coming to grips with his 170 00:10:55,970 --> 00:10:59,580 Speaker 1: lot in life. No amount of complaining could change his 171 00:10:59,660 --> 00:11:04,060 Speaker 1: outlook for the better. Tertza rested her hand delicately on 172 00:11:04,179 --> 00:11:04,800 Speaker 1: Ira's shoulder. 173 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:09,260 Speaker 6: But in all seriousness, do mind yourself out here. The 174 00:11:09,300 --> 00:11:13,110 Speaker 6: crowds have been different in the temple lately. I haven't 175 00:11:13,150 --> 00:11:16,210 Speaker 6: seen a restlessness like this since that preacher from Nazareth 176 00:11:16,290 --> 00:11:17,850 Speaker 6: would make his rounds through the city. 177 00:11:18,750 --> 00:11:22,490 Speaker 1: Ira had heard the stories. Gatherings of hundreds of people 178 00:11:22,530 --> 00:11:26,209 Speaker 1: had begun popping up all around the city, with rumors 179 00:11:26,309 --> 00:11:30,810 Speaker 1: of mysterious works present among them. Not giving much thought 180 00:11:30,830 --> 00:11:34,130 Speaker 1: to the matter, Ira began to set up his ramshackle business. 181 00:11:34,850 --> 00:11:38,390 Speaker 1: He set his bowl beside him, and he neatly adjusted 182 00:11:38,450 --> 00:11:42,660 Speaker 1: his robes to cover his withered legs. Putting a small 183 00:11:42,760 --> 00:11:46,160 Speaker 1: cushion behind him, he leaned his back against a pillar 184 00:11:46,780 --> 00:11:49,110 Speaker 1: and sat as upright as his body would allow him. 185 00:11:50,030 --> 00:11:52,500 Speaker 1: Over the years, he had learned the perfect balance of 186 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:57,319 Speaker 1: dignity and neediness. Too much of one or the other, 187 00:11:57,840 --> 00:12:01,239 Speaker 1: and the people would ignore his requests for their passive aid. 188 00:12:04,260 --> 00:12:06,740 Speaker 1: In the heart of the city, Peter and John strode 189 00:12:06,820 --> 00:12:10,090 Speaker 1: down the streets of Jerusalem, making their way to the 190 00:12:10,130 --> 00:12:13,230 Speaker 1: house where the apostles had been staying. They thrust the 191 00:12:13,270 --> 00:12:16,030 Speaker 1: door open to find an empty room. 192 00:12:16,790 --> 00:12:19,599 Speaker 2: Ah, we missed them. I knew we shouldn't have gone 193 00:12:19,660 --> 00:12:20,300 Speaker 2: off on our own. 194 00:12:20,980 --> 00:12:23,760 Speaker 3: It'll be fine. I'm sure they're on their way to 195 00:12:23,920 --> 00:12:26,920 Speaker 3: Afternoon Prayer. If we hurry, we should catch up with 196 00:12:26,950 --> 00:12:28,329 Speaker 3: them before they reach the temple. 197 00:12:29,010 --> 00:12:31,830 Speaker 1: The two men bounded out of the house, slamming a 198 00:12:31,850 --> 00:12:35,370 Speaker 1: wooden door shut behind them. They gradually made their way 199 00:12:35,470 --> 00:12:38,650 Speaker 1: toward the temple mount. Looking up at the sun, they 200 00:12:38,690 --> 00:12:42,390 Speaker 1: supposed it couldn't be much later than three in the afternoon. 201 00:12:43,220 --> 00:12:45,620 Speaker 1: They hurried up the steps of the outer courts. 202 00:12:46,300 --> 00:12:47,380 Speaker 2: I see them just up ahead. 203 00:12:48,010 --> 00:12:51,420 Speaker 1: Come quickly. Their bags rattled against their sides as they 204 00:12:51,460 --> 00:12:55,599 Speaker 1: took long strides down the colonnades. They slowed their pace 205 00:12:55,940 --> 00:12:58,960 Speaker 1: as they approached the entrance to the inner courts. But 206 00:12:59,020 --> 00:13:02,920 Speaker 1: before they could pass through, an unassuming voice called out 207 00:13:02,960 --> 00:13:03,200 Speaker 1: to them. 208 00:13:03,820 --> 00:13:05,460 Speaker 5: Any help for a lame man? 209 00:13:06,020 --> 00:13:10,290 Speaker 1: Ira's eyes stared straight ahead as he routinely parroted his 210 00:13:10,390 --> 00:13:14,370 Speaker 1: call to action. He would repeat these words as shapes 211 00:13:14,570 --> 00:13:18,369 Speaker 1: moved along his peripheral vision. waiting for the sound of 212 00:13:18,470 --> 00:13:21,230 Speaker 1: money to drop into his bowl to see if he 213 00:13:21,270 --> 00:13:24,540 Speaker 1: had had any luck. But no sound could be heard. 214 00:13:25,380 --> 00:13:29,420 Speaker 1: He sighed deeply and waited for the next chance. Peter 215 00:13:29,860 --> 00:13:33,810 Speaker 1: stopped abruptly and held his arm up against John's chest. 216 00:13:34,590 --> 00:13:37,900 Speaker 1: He had heard the man's call. and had paused to 217 00:13:37,960 --> 00:13:43,439 Speaker 1: inspect his setup. He looked intently at Ira, waiting for 218 00:13:43,559 --> 00:13:48,630 Speaker 1: any sign of acknowledgement. Following Peter's line of sight, John 219 00:13:48,790 --> 00:13:52,010 Speaker 1: peered down at the beggar as well. But the lame 220 00:13:52,050 --> 00:13:56,490 Speaker 1: man only seemed lost in thought, as though his question 221 00:13:56,550 --> 00:13:59,620 Speaker 1: was as much for the empty spaces around him as 222 00:13:59,670 --> 00:14:03,580 Speaker 1: it was for the apostles themselves. Peter waited a second 223 00:14:03,620 --> 00:14:06,970 Speaker 1: longer before prodding at the man's listlessness. 224 00:14:07,670 --> 00:14:10,490 Speaker 3: Are you the one who asked for help? 225 00:14:11,030 --> 00:14:14,880 Speaker 1: Ira's ears perked up, not used to anyone responding to 226 00:14:14,920 --> 00:14:19,340 Speaker 1: his requests with anything but a few coins or feigned deafness. 227 00:14:20,260 --> 00:14:23,280 Speaker 1: He didn't dare look at them, in fear that he 228 00:14:23,340 --> 00:14:27,420 Speaker 1: had somehow stirred their anger with his humble ask for help. 229 00:14:28,220 --> 00:14:31,910 Speaker 1: He hoped, if he stayed still long enough, they would 230 00:14:31,950 --> 00:14:34,950 Speaker 1: move on with their day. as much as he wanted 231 00:14:34,970 --> 00:14:38,710 Speaker 1: to move on with his. Look at us. The apostle's 232 00:14:38,790 --> 00:14:43,250 Speaker 1: voice carried no sense of fury. Ira considered that maybe 233 00:14:43,290 --> 00:14:46,080 Speaker 1: the man would be willing to help if Ira could 234 00:14:46,150 --> 00:14:48,440 Speaker 1: carry on a brief conversation with him. 235 00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:55,260 Speaker 5: My sincerest apologies. I meant no disrespect. It's just I'm 236 00:14:55,300 --> 00:14:59,160 Speaker 5: not accustomed to anyone paying me any mind. If you 237 00:14:59,230 --> 00:15:00,870 Speaker 5: could spare anything on your way. 238 00:15:00,750 --> 00:15:01,450 Speaker 2: Into the temple. 239 00:15:02,160 --> 00:15:04,720 Speaker 5: I would be forever grateful with your generosity. 240 00:15:05,220 --> 00:15:08,400 Speaker 1: Peter could tell Ira had rehearsed lines like this many 241 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:11,900 Speaker 1: times before. It was apparent that the lame man had 242 00:15:11,980 --> 00:15:15,730 Speaker 1: no malicious intentions in ignoring him, but had simply learned 243 00:15:15,790 --> 00:15:20,170 Speaker 1: that apathy was the best way to avoid conflict. Peter 244 00:15:20,210 --> 00:15:23,770 Speaker 1: thought over the man's request for spare change, in light 245 00:15:23,790 --> 00:15:27,750 Speaker 1: of John's story from earlier. Ira had spent his days 246 00:15:27,910 --> 00:15:31,380 Speaker 1: asking for nothing more than a few pears, when the 247 00:15:31,460 --> 00:15:35,980 Speaker 1: Lord had provided himself with bushels of blessings to share 248 00:15:36,020 --> 00:15:36,440 Speaker 1: with the man. 249 00:15:36,860 --> 00:15:39,460 Speaker 3: I do not have any silver or gold to offer 250 00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:40,280 Speaker 3: to you, my friend. 251 00:15:40,940 --> 00:15:45,490 Speaker 1: Iris' countenance dropped at Peter's words. His eyes drooped back 252 00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:49,330 Speaker 1: to his mat and nearly emptied dish. He had heard 253 00:15:49,410 --> 00:15:52,390 Speaker 1: many Jews make excuses as to why they couldn't spare 254 00:15:52,470 --> 00:15:55,950 Speaker 1: money for him in attempts to absolve themselves of guilt 255 00:15:56,390 --> 00:15:57,450 Speaker 1: for not helping the poor. 256 00:15:57,830 --> 00:16:01,450 Speaker 3: But what I do have, I happily give to you. 257 00:16:02,110 --> 00:16:06,490 Speaker 1: Ira mustered up every ounce of sincerity in his next words, 258 00:16:07,250 --> 00:16:10,650 Speaker 1: though in his mind money was the only thing that 259 00:16:10,670 --> 00:16:12,510 Speaker 1: would get him through the next day. 260 00:16:13,150 --> 00:16:13,890 Speaker 3: Thank you, brother. 261 00:16:14,630 --> 00:16:17,580 Speaker 5: Whatever you have to offer, I will gladly receive. 262 00:16:18,440 --> 00:16:22,340 Speaker 1: Peter smiled at the man's innocence. He recalled the countless 263 00:16:22,400 --> 00:16:25,520 Speaker 1: times he had watched Jesus heal lame men and women, 264 00:16:26,040 --> 00:16:30,520 Speaker 1: commanding them to arise. He centered his heart on Jesus, 265 00:16:31,280 --> 00:16:35,350 Speaker 1: feeling the Spirit's power moving through him. The miracles he 266 00:16:35,430 --> 00:16:39,170 Speaker 1: and the other apostles were performing were done through their hands, 267 00:16:39,290 --> 00:16:42,470 Speaker 1: but they all knew it was not by their own 268 00:16:42,570 --> 00:16:46,810 Speaker 1: power or might. Peter took a deep breath in, imagining 269 00:16:46,850 --> 00:16:50,910 Speaker 1: that Jesus himself would speak through him as he offered 270 00:16:50,960 --> 00:16:53,600 Speaker 1: this man a chance at a new life. 271 00:16:54,440 --> 00:16:58,020 Speaker 3: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. 272 00:17:00,100 --> 00:17:03,420 Speaker 1: Ira nearly choked on his spit. The absurdity of what 273 00:17:03,460 --> 00:17:06,280 Speaker 1: this stranger had just said nearly caused him to topple 274 00:17:06,380 --> 00:17:09,920 Speaker 1: over in disbelief. Was this some sort of cruel joke? 275 00:17:10,720 --> 00:17:12,740 Speaker 1: Not only had he forced Ira to look at him, 276 00:17:13,320 --> 00:17:17,479 Speaker 1: but he had blatantly given Ira false hope for financial relief. 277 00:17:18,440 --> 00:17:22,240 Speaker 1: Ira managed to calm himself. Nothing good ever came from 278 00:17:22,350 --> 00:17:23,380 Speaker 1: stirring up contention. 279 00:17:24,310 --> 00:17:27,910 Speaker 5: Please, I don't want to cause any trouble. I've been 280 00:17:27,970 --> 00:17:31,659 Speaker 5: lame since birth. And I've come here every day to beg. 281 00:17:32,480 --> 00:17:34,820 Speaker 5: But I do my best to stay out of people's way. 282 00:17:34,840 --> 00:17:37,050 Speaker 2: I would move if I could. 283 00:17:37,570 --> 00:17:42,090 Speaker 1: Peter said nothing, as he extended a smile and his 284 00:17:42,190 --> 00:17:46,669 Speaker 1: right hand out to Ira. Ira stared down the long 285 00:17:46,750 --> 00:17:50,830 Speaker 1: length of his arm. He weighed his options. He had 286 00:17:50,890 --> 00:17:53,710 Speaker 1: done everything he could not to cause a scene with 287 00:17:53,750 --> 00:17:57,570 Speaker 1: his begging. He wasn't sure what Peter's intentions were, but 288 00:17:58,450 --> 00:18:02,690 Speaker 1: Assessed from their interaction thus far that Peter's hand was 289 00:18:02,750 --> 00:18:06,659 Speaker 1: the path of least resistance, he gripped Peter's hand firmly 290 00:18:07,619 --> 00:18:11,300 Speaker 1: and felt the apostle give him a slow but firm tug. 291 00:18:12,359 --> 00:18:15,699 Speaker 1: Was he going to force Ira onto his feet to 292 00:18:15,740 --> 00:18:19,239 Speaker 1: move him? What would Terza say when she found out? 293 00:18:20,310 --> 00:18:24,869 Speaker 1: Ira watched his legs shake underneath him as Peter continued 294 00:18:24,890 --> 00:18:29,919 Speaker 1: to pull him upwards. To Ira's astonishment, He didn't immediately 295 00:18:29,960 --> 00:18:33,640 Speaker 1: topple over. This was the closest that Ira had come 296 00:18:33,700 --> 00:18:39,440 Speaker 1: to standing in years. He could feel his pulse rising. Finally, 297 00:18:40,260 --> 00:18:44,820 Speaker 1: Ira landed fully upright. He tentatively allowed his weight to 298 00:18:44,920 --> 00:18:49,040 Speaker 1: sink into his heels. The tendons of his legs tingled 299 00:18:49,160 --> 00:18:53,980 Speaker 1: with what felt like tiny jolts of electricity. In an instant, 300 00:18:54,310 --> 00:18:58,000 Speaker 1: Peter released his grip on Ira. but rather than leaving 301 00:18:58,060 --> 00:19:00,480 Speaker 1: him to sink back into a heap on his mat, 302 00:19:01,700 --> 00:19:08,700 Speaker 1: Ira stood tall, his former hesitations now replaced with sheer excitement. 303 00:19:09,800 --> 00:19:15,320 Speaker 1: A warmth ran through his legs, revitalizing every deteriorated muscle 304 00:19:15,800 --> 00:19:19,300 Speaker 1: to their full strength. He felt the strength of his 305 00:19:19,420 --> 00:19:23,080 Speaker 1: youth rush back into him again, not just his legs, 306 00:19:23,660 --> 00:19:29,290 Speaker 1: but to his heart, mind, and soul. Ira jumped with joy, 307 00:19:30,010 --> 00:19:33,169 Speaker 1: giggling with shouts of glee like a child at play. 308 00:19:33,970 --> 00:19:37,629 Speaker 1: He hugged Peter, leaving imprints of tears on his tunic. 309 00:19:38,210 --> 00:19:42,189 Speaker 1: He turned to John and shook his hands energetically. I. 310 00:19:42,930 --> 00:19:44,710 Speaker 3: how... who. 311 00:19:45,490 --> 00:19:46,770 Speaker 4: who are you? 312 00:19:46,790 --> 00:19:51,180 Speaker 3: It doesn't matter who we are. You were healed today 313 00:19:51,260 --> 00:19:53,980 Speaker 3: by the power of the Holy Spirit in the name 314 00:19:54,020 --> 00:19:58,619 Speaker 3: of Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Christ. Believe in him. 315 00:19:59,540 --> 00:20:05,570 Speaker 1: Ira was beside himself in pure, unadulterated praise. He lifted 316 00:20:05,609 --> 00:20:07,250 Speaker 1: his hands up to the heavens. 317 00:20:08,190 --> 00:20:09,990 Speaker 3: I believe... I believe. 318 00:20:10,790 --> 00:20:13,330 Speaker 1: Praise Adonai, the God who heals. 319 00:20:13,350 --> 00:20:17,990 Speaker 5: And praise Jesus of Nazareth, who has given me strength 320 00:20:18,010 --> 00:20:19,270 Speaker 5: this day. 321 00:20:19,850 --> 00:20:22,930 Speaker 1: Ira stepped closer to Peter and John as he wiped 322 00:20:22,950 --> 00:20:27,110 Speaker 1: the tears from his cheeks. His thoughts and emotions were 323 00:20:27,310 --> 00:20:31,710 Speaker 1: mingled together with an intensity that Ira had never known before. 324 00:20:32,670 --> 00:20:36,190 Speaker 1: There was no doubt in Ira's mind that these men 325 00:20:36,270 --> 00:20:41,000 Speaker 1: had been sent by God. Ira had lost years of 326 00:20:41,100 --> 00:20:45,330 Speaker 1: experience because of deficiency. He had never known the roughness 327 00:20:45,369 --> 00:20:48,850 Speaker 1: of climbing a tree, the wind in his face chasing 328 00:20:48,950 --> 00:20:52,150 Speaker 1: friends in the game of tag, or the simple pleasures 329 00:20:52,210 --> 00:20:55,710 Speaker 1: of strolling through the fields after a long day's work. 330 00:20:56,750 --> 00:21:00,800 Speaker 1: But now all Ira wanted to do was use his 331 00:21:00,960 --> 00:21:05,800 Speaker 1: legs to run into the presence of the God who 332 00:21:05,960 --> 00:21:07,939 Speaker 1: saw him and loved him. 333 00:21:11,619 --> 00:21:14,359 Speaker 4: Our story began with Peter and John heading to the 334 00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:17,699 Speaker 4: temple for the 3 p.m. prayer meeting. Now, I don't 335 00:21:17,720 --> 00:21:20,300 Speaker 4: know about you, but whenever I hear about Peter and 336 00:21:20,340 --> 00:21:23,280 Speaker 4: John together, I think of a buddy movie. Peter, the 337 00:21:23,300 --> 00:21:26,110 Speaker 4: bold and brash one, and John, the thoughtful disciple whom 338 00:21:26,180 --> 00:21:29,990 Speaker 4: Jesus loved. They're like the dynamic duo of the early church. 339 00:21:30,430 --> 00:21:32,710 Speaker 4: They're on their way to pray, but God had other 340 00:21:32,750 --> 00:21:35,969 Speaker 4: plans for them. You see, sometimes God's greatest work happens 341 00:21:36,030 --> 00:21:38,250 Speaker 4: when we're just trying to do what we always do. 342 00:21:38,830 --> 00:21:41,670 Speaker 4: God will break the mundane patterns of our everyday lives 343 00:21:41,890 --> 00:21:44,700 Speaker 4: and put something in front of us, a divine appointment 344 00:21:44,820 --> 00:21:48,400 Speaker 4: that needs our attention. Enter the lame man. Every day 345 00:21:48,460 --> 00:21:50,540 Speaker 4: his friends carried him to the temple gate, and every 346 00:21:50,580 --> 00:21:53,500 Speaker 4: day he sat there begging for alms. This wasn't a 347 00:21:53,600 --> 00:21:55,880 Speaker 4: new gig for him. He'd been doing this for years, 348 00:21:56,160 --> 00:21:59,720 Speaker 4: decades even. His routine was set, get dropped off, beg, 349 00:21:59,920 --> 00:22:02,920 Speaker 4: collect what he could, and repeat. But today wasn't going 350 00:22:02,960 --> 00:22:06,020 Speaker 4: to be just another day. As Peter and John approached, 351 00:22:06,080 --> 00:22:09,090 Speaker 4: the man asked for alms, and Here's where it gets interesting. 352 00:22:09,530 --> 00:22:11,550 Speaker 4: Peter and John didn't ignore him or just toss a 353 00:22:11,590 --> 00:22:15,320 Speaker 4: few coins to ease their conscience. No, they did something radical. 354 00:22:15,800 --> 00:22:18,500 Speaker 4: Look at us, Peter said. Now, that might not seem 355 00:22:18,540 --> 00:22:20,760 Speaker 4: like much, but think about it. When we want to 356 00:22:20,820 --> 00:22:23,939 Speaker 4: ignore someone, we avoid eye contact, right? But Peter and 357 00:22:23,960 --> 00:22:27,200 Speaker 4: John looked right at him. The man was probably expecting money, 358 00:22:27,480 --> 00:22:30,530 Speaker 4: something to help him get by just another day. But 359 00:22:30,830 --> 00:22:33,310 Speaker 4: isn't that just like us? We often come to God 360 00:22:33,330 --> 00:22:36,970 Speaker 4: with small expectations, hoping for a little help to get by. 361 00:22:37,330 --> 00:22:39,629 Speaker 4: But God in his infinite wisdom wants to give us 362 00:22:39,710 --> 00:22:42,870 Speaker 4: so much more than we ask for. The man expects coins, 363 00:22:43,010 --> 00:22:45,410 Speaker 4: but God wants to give him an entirely new life. 364 00:22:45,970 --> 00:22:49,609 Speaker 4: Peter's next words are both humbling and profound. Silver and 365 00:22:49,650 --> 00:22:51,430 Speaker 4: gold I do not have, but what I do give 366 00:22:51,470 --> 00:22:54,210 Speaker 4: you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise 367 00:22:54,290 --> 00:22:57,450 Speaker 4: up and walk. Can you imagine the shock? The lame 368 00:22:57,490 --> 00:23:00,480 Speaker 4: man must have thought, wait, what? I was just asking 369 00:23:00,520 --> 00:23:02,440 Speaker 4: for some change and now you're telling me to walk? 370 00:23:03,040 --> 00:23:05,780 Speaker 4: Here's the thing. Peter didn't have money, but he had 371 00:23:05,820 --> 00:23:09,420 Speaker 4: something far better. the power of Jesus' name. Friends, let's 372 00:23:09,440 --> 00:23:11,740 Speaker 4: be real. Sometimes we think the church is in bad 373 00:23:11,820 --> 00:23:14,640 Speaker 4: shape when it lacks silver and gold. But I'd rather 374 00:23:14,700 --> 00:23:17,080 Speaker 4: have a church that can say, in the name of Jesus, 375 00:23:17,220 --> 00:23:20,200 Speaker 4: rise up and walk, than a church overflowing with wealth 376 00:23:20,340 --> 00:23:23,930 Speaker 4: and empty spiritual power. Peter didn't just speak words, he 377 00:23:24,109 --> 00:23:26,270 Speaker 4: acted on them. He reached out, he grabbed him by 378 00:23:26,310 --> 00:23:28,609 Speaker 4: the hand and lifted him up. And at that moment, 379 00:23:28,650 --> 00:23:32,210 Speaker 4: something incredible happened. Immediately, his feet and his ankle bones 380 00:23:32,290 --> 00:23:35,399 Speaker 4: received strength. You know, Luke the physician gives us an 381 00:23:35,460 --> 00:23:39,060 Speaker 4: interesting detail here. It wasn't a gradual healing. It wasn't, well, 382 00:23:39,160 --> 00:23:41,060 Speaker 4: give it a few weeks of physical therapy and you'll 383 00:23:41,080 --> 00:23:43,640 Speaker 4: be good to go. No, it was immediate. And just 384 00:23:43,660 --> 00:23:46,410 Speaker 4: like that, the man who had never walked in his 385 00:23:46,590 --> 00:23:51,490 Speaker 4: life started walking, leaping, and praising God. Imagine that. This 386 00:23:51,570 --> 00:23:53,990 Speaker 4: guy is jumping around like he had just won the lottery. 387 00:23:54,330 --> 00:23:57,409 Speaker 4: And in the sense, he did. He didn't just receive 388 00:23:57,470 --> 00:23:59,850 Speaker 4: a few coins. He received new legs, a new life, 389 00:24:00,430 --> 00:24:04,170 Speaker 4: and a new reason to worship. This story begs the question, 390 00:24:04,330 --> 00:24:06,949 Speaker 4: what are we expecting from God? Are we coming to 391 00:24:06,990 --> 00:24:09,430 Speaker 4: him with small requests, just asking for enough to get by? 392 00:24:10,070 --> 00:24:12,210 Speaker 4: Or are we ready for him to say, rise up 393 00:24:12,270 --> 00:24:15,330 Speaker 4: and walk? Sometimes we're so focused on getting through the 394 00:24:15,369 --> 00:24:18,610 Speaker 4: day that we forget God wants to transform our entire lives. 395 00:24:19,150 --> 00:24:21,030 Speaker 4: And for those of us who feel like Peter and John, 396 00:24:21,150 --> 00:24:23,450 Speaker 4: who feel like we don't have much to give, remember this. 397 00:24:23,990 --> 00:24:26,540 Speaker 4: We may not have silver and gold, but we do 398 00:24:26,560 --> 00:24:28,880 Speaker 4: have the name of Jesus. And that name is more 399 00:24:28,940 --> 00:24:31,820 Speaker 4: powerful than any wealth, influence, or position you could ever hold. 400 00:24:32,350 --> 00:24:34,790 Speaker 4: The story ends with a man who has never walked 401 00:24:34,869 --> 00:24:37,669 Speaker 4: before clinging to Peter and John, entering the temple and 402 00:24:37,710 --> 00:24:40,170 Speaker 4: praising God. And all the people who saw him were 403 00:24:40,230 --> 00:24:42,010 Speaker 4: filled with wonder and amazement. 404 00:24:42,510 --> 00:24:43,090 Speaker 1: They love that. 405 00:24:43,670 --> 00:24:46,230 Speaker 4: They were used to seeing him begging, but now he's praising. 406 00:24:46,710 --> 00:24:49,310 Speaker 4: And when God changes a life, it's impossible to miss. 407 00:24:50,150 --> 00:24:53,190 Speaker 4: So what can we take away from this? Two things. First, 408 00:24:53,570 --> 00:24:56,010 Speaker 4: let's expect more from God. Let's not settle for a 409 00:24:56,050 --> 00:24:58,250 Speaker 4: few coins when God wants to give us new legs. 410 00:24:58,890 --> 00:25:01,590 Speaker 4: And second, Let's give them what we have. It may 411 00:25:01,630 --> 00:25:04,270 Speaker 4: not be silver and gold, but what we do have 412 00:25:04,330 --> 00:25:07,640 Speaker 4: is Jesus. And if we have Jesus, we have everything 413 00:25:07,680 --> 00:25:10,760 Speaker 4: we need. So as we go about this week, let's 414 00:25:10,780 --> 00:25:13,780 Speaker 4: be a church, a people moved by compassion that look 415 00:25:13,820 --> 00:25:16,770 Speaker 4: people in the eye, expect big things from God, and 416 00:25:16,830 --> 00:25:19,250 Speaker 4: aren't afraid to say in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, 417 00:25:19,550 --> 00:25:20,730 Speaker 4: rise up and walk.