1 00:00:00,550 --> 00:00:04,620 Speaker 1: But Peter said, I have no silver or gold, but 2 00:00:04,660 --> 00:00:08,020 Speaker 1: what I have I give you. In the name of 3 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:15,400 Speaker 1: Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk. Acts 3.6 4 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: Heavenly Father, thank you for the powerful reminder of Acts 3.6, 5 00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:23,580 Speaker 1: that it is not silver or gold that truly matters, 6 00:00:24,340 --> 00:00:29,180 Speaker 1: but the immeasurable worth of walking with Jesus. Lord, we 7 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:33,589 Speaker 1: confess that we often get distracted by worldly pursuits and 8 00:00:33,620 --> 00:00:37,570 Speaker 1: material desires. Help us to focus on what truly matters, 9 00:00:38,350 --> 00:00:43,150 Speaker 1: your presence, your love, and the power that comes from 10 00:00:43,210 --> 00:00:47,520 Speaker 1: a life surrendered to Christ. Remind us daily that our 11 00:00:47,630 --> 00:00:52,700 Speaker 1: true riches are found in you alone. Strengthen our faith. 12 00:00:53,460 --> 00:00:57,730 Speaker 1: and guide us to prioritize the eternal power over the temporary, 13 00:00:58,380 --> 00:01:02,910 Speaker 1: seeking your kingdom first in all we do. May our 14 00:01:02,990 --> 00:01:07,750 Speaker 1: lives reflect the fullness of joy that comes from walking 15 00:01:07,990 --> 00:01:14,670 Speaker 1: with Jesus. In his precious name, amen. Thank you for 16 00:01:14,709 --> 00:01:18,770 Speaker 1: praying with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. 17 00:01:19,770 --> 00:01:23,780 Speaker 1: Remain here for our mini-series, on the birth of the church. 18 00:01:25,150 --> 00:01:28,070 Speaker 1: If this podcast has blessed you, we would love it 19 00:01:28,430 --> 00:01:32,170 Speaker 1: if you left a review. Doing so makes a huge 20 00:01:32,310 --> 00:01:37,520 Speaker 1: impact on our team. The Mount of Olives overlooked the 21 00:01:37,560 --> 00:01:41,680 Speaker 1: valley toward Jerusalem. The stone walls of the great city 22 00:01:42,340 --> 00:01:46,780 Speaker 1: erupted from the ground in might. The Mount of Olives 23 00:01:46,800 --> 00:01:50,290 Speaker 1: had found its own means of protection. with rows of 24 00:01:50,410 --> 00:01:54,930 Speaker 1: olive trees lining the earthen mound. Peter and John walked 25 00:01:54,970 --> 00:01:57,590 Speaker 1: about the garden, nestled into the base of the hill. 26 00:01:58,410 --> 00:02:02,250 Speaker 1: The pair strolled leisurely through the Garden of Gethsemane. They 27 00:02:02,270 --> 00:02:05,550 Speaker 1: had spent the morning with the other apostles, visiting the 28 00:02:05,590 --> 00:02:10,150 Speaker 1: homes of various believers who opened their doors. After lunch, 29 00:02:10,210 --> 00:02:12,750 Speaker 1: they had retired to the cool shade of the garden. 30 00:02:13,500 --> 00:02:17,200 Speaker 1: They crunched the brittle leaves under their feet, reminiscing of 31 00:02:17,280 --> 00:02:22,410 Speaker 1: days long past. Their years of following Jesus throughout Galilee. 32 00:02:23,090 --> 00:02:26,930 Speaker 1: The grueling days of providing for their families as meager fishermen. 33 00:02:27,610 --> 00:02:31,530 Speaker 1: And the nostalgia of boyhood. They would run through the 34 00:02:31,590 --> 00:02:35,100 Speaker 1: streets of Bethsaida without a care in the world. 35 00:02:35,760 --> 00:02:38,020 Speaker 2: Do you remember the day that James and I got 36 00:02:38,100 --> 00:02:42,410 Speaker 2: caught stealing pears from old man Nathan's fruit stand after Bethsaida? 37 00:02:43,630 --> 00:02:46,139 Speaker 2: Hugh and Andrew sure saved our skins on that one. 38 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:49,920 Speaker 1: Peter chuckled as his mind dusted off the antiquated memory. 39 00:02:50,600 --> 00:02:53,380 Speaker 1: He and Andrew had run into the Sons of Zebedee, 40 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 1: fleeing from the disgruntled shopkeeper. Being their only hope of escape, 41 00:02:59,880 --> 00:03:03,150 Speaker 1: Peter and Andrew had knocked over several ephahs of flour 42 00:03:03,590 --> 00:03:06,950 Speaker 1: to create a distraction long enough for the brothers to flee. 43 00:03:08,550 --> 00:03:11,809 Speaker 3: How could I forget? It was the week we finished school. 44 00:03:12,370 --> 00:03:14,950 Speaker 3: The only reason we didn't get into more trouble is 45 00:03:14,970 --> 00:03:17,840 Speaker 3: because our arbor needed us focused enough to catch the nest. 46 00:03:19,680 --> 00:03:22,680 Speaker 2: Did we ever tell you what happened after that? I mean, 47 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:26,299 Speaker 2: probably not. I think James and I were both too embarrassed. 48 00:03:26,919 --> 00:03:30,470 Speaker 1: Peter gave a puzzled look to his companion. After all 49 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:33,850 Speaker 1: these years, he had assumed he had heard all of 50 00:03:33,930 --> 00:03:38,270 Speaker 1: James and John's tales. Peter's face told John that he 51 00:03:38,310 --> 00:03:39,790 Speaker 1: should carry on with the story. 52 00:03:40,340 --> 00:03:43,340 Speaker 2: Well, I don't think we ever told you why we 53 00:03:43,380 --> 00:03:44,360 Speaker 2: were stealing that day. 54 00:03:44,380 --> 00:03:48,440 Speaker 3: Oh, you mean it wasn't because you and James were 55 00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:49,500 Speaker 3: spoiled twerps? 56 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:54,990 Speaker 2: Ha, twerps? Yeah, I guess we were. Spoiled? No way. 57 00:03:56,030 --> 00:03:59,010 Speaker 2: You see, that was around the same time Arba was 58 00:03:59,070 --> 00:04:02,880 Speaker 2: having trouble meeting demands on fish. And no fish means 59 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:07,200 Speaker 2: no money. There was hardly enough food to go around and, well... 60 00:04:07,630 --> 00:04:09,550 Speaker 2: James and I thought we could help out by finding 61 00:04:09,590 --> 00:04:11,070 Speaker 2: our own meals during the day. 62 00:04:12,130 --> 00:04:12,210 Speaker 4: Oh. 63 00:04:13,730 --> 00:04:16,290 Speaker 2: I'm sorry. I didn't know. 64 00:04:17,710 --> 00:04:20,640 Speaker 3: If I had, I never would have done anything like that. 65 00:04:22,240 --> 00:04:24,640 Speaker 2: It's alright. I mean, what are friends for if not 66 00:04:24,660 --> 00:04:28,180 Speaker 2: a good jab every once in a while? But that's 67 00:04:28,220 --> 00:04:30,839 Speaker 2: not the important part of the story. You see, what's 68 00:04:30,940 --> 00:04:33,960 Speaker 2: really wild is old man Nathan came to our house 69 00:04:34,020 --> 00:04:34,760 Speaker 2: later that day. 70 00:04:35,460 --> 00:04:37,100 Speaker 1: We thought he was going to rat us out, but 71 00:04:37,770 --> 00:04:40,390 Speaker 1: Tears started to pool in the creases of John's eyes. 72 00:04:41,050 --> 00:04:44,470 Speaker 2: But he came in with baskets of food. It was 73 00:04:44,529 --> 00:04:46,930 Speaker 2: the only way we survived until we could actually help 74 00:04:47,110 --> 00:04:47,929 Speaker 2: Abba with the boats. 75 00:04:48,790 --> 00:04:52,240 Speaker 1: Peter felt himself holding back tears of his own. He 76 00:04:52,270 --> 00:04:54,660 Speaker 1: scanned the outline of the city in the afternoon light. 77 00:04:55,500 --> 00:04:59,060 Speaker 1: Thousands of people were moving about their own business, each 78 00:04:59,580 --> 00:05:02,799 Speaker 1: with a unique story to tell. They weren't just numbers 79 00:05:02,940 --> 00:05:06,219 Speaker 1: to be added to the church. They were souls to 80 00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:11,180 Speaker 1: be cared for. and loved. And just like old man Nathan, 81 00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:16,490 Speaker 1: it all started with one act of kindness. One deliberate 82 00:05:16,529 --> 00:05:22,070 Speaker 1: decision to graciously provide what someone needed, rather than pouring 83 00:05:22,130 --> 00:05:24,750 Speaker 1: out retribution for what they deserved. 84 00:05:27,390 --> 00:05:31,650 Speaker 2: We should probably get back. The others will. 85 00:05:31,490 --> 00:05:32,349 Speaker 3: Be waiting for us. 86 00:05:33,230 --> 00:05:36,330 Speaker 1: Peter placed his arm around John's neck and caught his eyes. 87 00:05:37,250 --> 00:05:41,050 Speaker 1: It wasn't until this moment that Peter realized just how 88 00:05:41,210 --> 00:05:45,260 Speaker 1: far they had come. He noted his friend's childlike eyes, 89 00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:49,620 Speaker 1: now sunken into a face withered by the complexities of life. 90 00:05:50,440 --> 00:05:55,820 Speaker 1: Their years of youth had seamlessly blended into adulthood. But 91 00:05:55,920 --> 00:05:58,980 Speaker 1: now it was as if their time with Jesus had 92 00:05:59,040 --> 00:06:02,560 Speaker 1: been like a pot hung to heat over a rippling fire, 93 00:06:03,180 --> 00:06:07,160 Speaker 1: boiling over with a voracity since the outpouring of the Spirit. 94 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:10,860 Speaker 1: Peter guarded his heart against being overwhelmed by the fact. 95 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:15,420 Speaker 1: He reminded himself that the Spirit was calling him to small, 96 00:06:15,940 --> 00:06:20,510 Speaker 1: deliberate acts of faith at a time, just one step 97 00:06:20,770 --> 00:06:22,090 Speaker 1: forward each day. 98 00:06:31,990 --> 00:06:34,969 Speaker 5: Sometimes what we think we need and what we actually 99 00:06:35,029 --> 00:06:37,790 Speaker 5: need are two different things. It takes an open heart 100 00:06:37,910 --> 00:06:41,089 Speaker 5: and a keen eye to see the difference. Welcome to 101 00:06:41,310 --> 00:06:44,659 Speaker 5: the Jesus Podcast. I'm Zach, your host from Pray.com, here 102 00:06:44,680 --> 00:06:47,100 Speaker 5: to guide you through another saga on the birth of 103 00:06:47,140 --> 00:06:50,100 Speaker 5: the church. If you haven't yet followed this podcast and 104 00:06:50,120 --> 00:06:52,400 Speaker 5: you've been enjoying it so far, make sure to do so, 105 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:55,750 Speaker 5: so you never miss an episode. Today, we find ourselves 106 00:06:55,900 --> 00:06:59,000 Speaker 5: at the gate called Beautiful. a name that sounds like 107 00:06:59,040 --> 00:07:01,599 Speaker 5: it was plucked from a travel brochure, but is actually 108 00:07:01,640 --> 00:07:03,740 Speaker 5: the setting for one of the most powerful stories in 109 00:07:03,760 --> 00:07:06,750 Speaker 5: the book of Acts. Acts 3, 1-10 tells us about 110 00:07:06,790 --> 00:07:09,890 Speaker 5: a man whose life was forever changed, not by the 111 00:07:09,950 --> 00:07:12,650 Speaker 5: silver and gold that he expected, but by the power 112 00:07:12,930 --> 00:07:13,750 Speaker 5: of Jesus Christ. 113 00:07:16,900 --> 00:07:20,059 Speaker 1: The entrance to the temple courtyards rumbled with the low, 114 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:24,040 Speaker 1: steady beat of footsteps. Men and women marched up the 115 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 1: steps of the temple mount as they flowed in and 116 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:31,810 Speaker 1: out of worship. Some came to genuinely worship the living God, 117 00:07:32,640 --> 00:07:37,570 Speaker 1: while others came and wrote ritual as dutiful Jews. An 118 00:07:37,630 --> 00:07:41,730 Speaker 1: exception to both of these was Ira. He had been 119 00:07:41,790 --> 00:07:44,890 Speaker 1: lame since the days of his youth and had settled 120 00:07:45,010 --> 00:07:47,900 Speaker 1: in to the life of a beggar Daily he would 121 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:51,380 Speaker 1: be carried to the temple gates in hopes of catching 122 00:07:51,640 --> 00:07:55,540 Speaker 1: the spare change of worshippers compelled to demonstrate an act 123 00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:59,440 Speaker 1: of generosity. He would tuck himself into a disheveled heap 124 00:07:59,820 --> 00:08:03,610 Speaker 1: on one of the stone steps, wooden bowl by his side. 125 00:08:04,510 --> 00:08:09,410 Speaker 1: This was his most cherished possession. Years of coins being 126 00:08:09,610 --> 00:08:13,830 Speaker 1: unaffectionately strewn into the cup had littered the inside with 127 00:08:13,930 --> 00:08:19,370 Speaker 1: dents and bruises. Ira couldn't help but relate. Every coin 128 00:08:19,430 --> 00:08:22,890 Speaker 1: placed in the small dish was a reminder of his 129 00:08:23,170 --> 00:08:29,550 Speaker 1: unfortunate handicap in life, bruising his confidence and sense of identity. 130 00:08:30,630 --> 00:08:34,250 Speaker 1: He had to fight himself from assuming others' generosity was 131 00:08:34,350 --> 00:08:38,929 Speaker 1: rooted in pity. He studied the courtyard as several of 132 00:08:38,990 --> 00:08:42,270 Speaker 1: his companions jostled him down the colonnades on a stretcher. 133 00:08:42,690 --> 00:08:46,050 Speaker 4: Just a little further, Titsa. Not too close to the 134 00:08:46,130 --> 00:08:49,959 Speaker 4: offering boxes. I'll have better luck with people coming in 135 00:08:50,059 --> 00:08:50,880 Speaker 4: than going out. 136 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:54,920 Speaker 1: The woman carrying Ira's bed closest to his head chortled. 137 00:08:55,800 --> 00:08:57,920 Speaker 6: I have to give it to you, Ira. You've got 138 00:08:57,960 --> 00:09:00,740 Speaker 6: this place mapped out better than the priests themselves. 139 00:09:01,400 --> 00:09:04,420 Speaker 1: Ira winced at the agony. His family was of the 140 00:09:04,470 --> 00:09:07,870 Speaker 1: tribe of Levi. He had often wondered if he would 141 00:09:07,910 --> 00:09:12,429 Speaker 1: have been a priest under vastly different circumstances. But he 142 00:09:12,470 --> 00:09:15,100 Speaker 1: didn't let the thought linger for too long. for he 143 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:18,500 Speaker 1: knew that was when the bitter roots started to grow. 144 00:09:19,300 --> 00:09:23,280 Speaker 1: As a beggar, he was often ignored, if not mocked 145 00:09:23,800 --> 00:09:28,300 Speaker 1: or unintentionally abused, with the kicks and shoves of distracted 146 00:09:28,400 --> 00:09:32,810 Speaker 1: Jews hurrying on their way into the temple. On one occasion, 147 00:09:32,870 --> 00:09:36,010 Speaker 1: a young man had accidentally struck Ira's bull with his foot, 148 00:09:36,970 --> 00:09:42,270 Speaker 1: sending his collections to scatter across the walkway. Several passers-by 149 00:09:42,350 --> 00:09:46,070 Speaker 1: bent over to retrieve the fallen money, He assumed they 150 00:09:46,090 --> 00:09:50,610 Speaker 1: were helping the lame man regather his modest revenue, but 151 00:09:50,630 --> 00:09:54,890 Speaker 1: could only idly watch as the coins were discreetly slipped 152 00:09:55,290 --> 00:09:59,610 Speaker 1: into greedy pockets. Ira had watched other beggars like himself. 153 00:10:00,429 --> 00:10:05,480 Speaker 1: grow malcontent against the cold world. They would have ridiculed 154 00:10:05,510 --> 00:10:09,960 Speaker 1: the selflessness of society, though never to any effect. But 155 00:10:09,980 --> 00:10:13,780 Speaker 1: Ira refused to resign himself to the burden of a 156 00:10:13,840 --> 00:10:19,270 Speaker 1: bitter heart. His only consolation was convincing himself that perhaps 157 00:10:19,370 --> 00:10:23,030 Speaker 1: their needs... were greater than his own. He knew it 158 00:10:23,050 --> 00:10:26,709 Speaker 1: was only a facade to protect himself from losing hope 159 00:10:27,570 --> 00:10:30,910 Speaker 1: in there being a threat of goodness still left in 160 00:10:30,929 --> 00:10:34,890 Speaker 1: the world. Ira felt his bearers come to a halt. 161 00:10:35,500 --> 00:10:36,319 Speaker 6: How's this spot? 162 00:10:36,650 --> 00:10:38,340 Speaker 2: This should do just fine. 163 00:10:38,740 --> 00:10:39,820 Speaker 6: Do you need anything else? 164 00:10:40,300 --> 00:10:42,100 Speaker 2: A new set of legs would be great. 165 00:10:43,260 --> 00:10:45,260 Speaker 6: I'll let you know what we can find in the market. 166 00:10:45,980 --> 00:10:47,020 Speaker 2: We'll be back this evening. 167 00:10:47,420 --> 00:10:49,219 Speaker 6: Now don't go wandering off in the meantime. 168 00:10:49,780 --> 00:10:53,110 Speaker 1: Ira laughed. Making light of his situation was all he 169 00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:55,949 Speaker 1: could do after decades of coming to grips with his 170 00:10:56,010 --> 00:10:59,610 Speaker 1: lot in life. No amount of complaining could change his 171 00:10:59,690 --> 00:11:04,090 Speaker 1: outlook for the better. Tertza rested her hand delicately on 172 00:11:04,190 --> 00:11:04,810 Speaker 1: Ira's shoulder. 173 00:11:05,630 --> 00:11:09,300 Speaker 6: But in all seriousness, do mind yourself out here. The 174 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:13,140 Speaker 6: crowds have been different in the temple lately. I haven't 175 00:11:13,179 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 6: seen a restlessness like this since that preacher from Nazareth 176 00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:17,880 Speaker 6: would make his rounds through the city. 177 00:11:18,780 --> 00:11:22,510 Speaker 1: Ira had heard the stories. Gatherings of hundreds of people 178 00:11:22,550 --> 00:11:26,229 Speaker 1: had begun popping up all around the city, with rumors 179 00:11:26,330 --> 00:11:30,850 Speaker 1: of mysterious works present among them. Not giving much thought 180 00:11:30,870 --> 00:11:34,150 Speaker 1: to the matter, Ira began to set up his ramshackle business. 181 00:11:34,890 --> 00:11:38,430 Speaker 1: He set his bowl beside him, and he neatly adjusted 182 00:11:38,470 --> 00:11:42,699 Speaker 1: his robes to cover his withered legs. Putting a small 183 00:11:42,770 --> 00:11:46,199 Speaker 1: cushion behind him, he leaned his back against a pillar 184 00:11:46,820 --> 00:11:49,130 Speaker 1: and sat as upright as his body would allow him. 185 00:11:50,030 --> 00:11:52,530 Speaker 1: Over the years, he had learned the perfect balance of 186 00:11:52,610 --> 00:11:57,349 Speaker 1: dignity and neediness. Too much of one or the other, 187 00:11:57,850 --> 00:12:01,280 Speaker 1: and the people would ignore his requests for their passive aid. 188 00:12:04,300 --> 00:12:06,780 Speaker 1: In the heart of the city, Peter and John strode 189 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:10,100 Speaker 1: down the streets of Jerusalem, making their way to the 190 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:13,260 Speaker 1: house where the apostles had been staying. They thrust the 191 00:12:13,280 --> 00:12:16,070 Speaker 1: door open to find an empty room. 192 00:12:16,850 --> 00:12:19,630 Speaker 2: Ah, we missed them. I knew we shouldn't have gone 193 00:12:19,690 --> 00:12:20,340 Speaker 2: off on our own. 194 00:12:21,010 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 3: It'll be fine. I'm sure they're on their way to 195 00:12:23,940 --> 00:12:26,960 Speaker 3: Afternoon Prayer. If we hurry, we should catch up with 196 00:12:26,980 --> 00:12:27,780 Speaker 3: them before they. 197 00:12:27,700 --> 00:12:28,320 Speaker 2: Reach the temple. 198 00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:31,859 Speaker 1: The two men bounded out of the house, slamming the 199 00:12:31,880 --> 00:12:35,400 Speaker 1: wooden door shut behind them. They gradually made their way 200 00:12:35,480 --> 00:12:38,679 Speaker 1: toward the temple mount. Looking up at the sun, they 201 00:12:38,720 --> 00:12:42,420 Speaker 1: supposed it couldn't be much later than three in the afternoon. 202 00:12:43,240 --> 00:12:45,640 Speaker 1: They hurried up the steps of the outer courts. 203 00:12:46,330 --> 00:12:48,570 Speaker 2: I see them just up ahead. Come quickly. 204 00:12:49,010 --> 00:12:52,050 Speaker 1: Their bags rattled against their sides as they took long 205 00:12:52,150 --> 00:12:56,220 Speaker 1: strides down the colonnades. They slowed their pace as they 206 00:12:56,270 --> 00:12:59,440 Speaker 1: approached the entrance to the inner courts. But before they 207 00:12:59,480 --> 00:13:03,220 Speaker 1: could pass through, an unassuming voice called out to them. 208 00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:05,480 Speaker 2: Any help for a lame man? 209 00:13:06,059 --> 00:13:10,319 Speaker 1: Ira's eyes stared straight ahead as he routinely parroted his 210 00:13:10,420 --> 00:13:14,400 Speaker 1: call to action. He would repeat these words as shapes 211 00:13:14,580 --> 00:13:18,400 Speaker 1: moved along his peripheral vision. waiting for the sound of 212 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:21,250 Speaker 1: money to drop into his bowl to see if he 213 00:13:21,290 --> 00:13:24,570 Speaker 1: had had any luck. But no sound could be heard. 214 00:13:25,410 --> 00:13:29,430 Speaker 1: He sighed deeply and waited for the next chance. Peter 215 00:13:29,870 --> 00:13:33,810 Speaker 1: stopped abruptly and held his arm up against John's chest. 216 00:13:34,620 --> 00:13:37,940 Speaker 1: He had heard the man's call and had paused to 217 00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:43,480 Speaker 1: inspect his setup. He looked intently at Ira, waiting for 218 00:13:43,620 --> 00:13:48,640 Speaker 1: any sign of acknowledgment. Following Peter's line of sight, John 219 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:52,040 Speaker 1: peered down at the beggar as well. But the lame 220 00:13:52,080 --> 00:13:56,530 Speaker 1: man only seemed lost in thought, as though his question 221 00:13:56,590 --> 00:13:59,630 Speaker 1: was as much for the empty spaces around him as 222 00:13:59,690 --> 00:14:03,589 Speaker 1: it was for the apostles themselves. Peter waited a second 223 00:14:03,630 --> 00:14:07,020 Speaker 1: longer before prodding at the man's listlessness. 224 00:14:07,720 --> 00:14:10,540 Speaker 2: Are you the one who asked for help? 225 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:14,880 Speaker 1: Ira's ears perked up. not used to anyone responding to 226 00:14:14,940 --> 00:14:19,360 Speaker 1: his requests with anything but a few coins or feigned deafness. 227 00:14:20,280 --> 00:14:23,300 Speaker 1: He didn't dare look at them, in fear that he 228 00:14:23,370 --> 00:14:27,450 Speaker 1: had somehow stirred their anger with his humble ask for help. 229 00:14:28,250 --> 00:14:31,910 Speaker 1: He hoped, if he stayed still long enough, they would 230 00:14:31,950 --> 00:14:34,970 Speaker 1: move on with their day, as much as he wanted 231 00:14:35,010 --> 00:14:36,010 Speaker 1: to move on with his. 232 00:14:36,630 --> 00:14:37,470 Speaker 2: Look at us! 233 00:14:38,050 --> 00:14:42,530 Speaker 1: The apostle's voice carried no sense of fury. Ira considered 234 00:14:42,620 --> 00:14:45,500 Speaker 1: that maybe the man would be willing to help if 235 00:14:45,660 --> 00:14:48,440 Speaker 1: Ira could carry on a brief conversation with him. 236 00:14:49,140 --> 00:14:55,280 Speaker 4: My sincerest apologies. I meant no disrespect. It's just I'm 237 00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:59,190 Speaker 4: not accustomed to anyone paying me any mind. If you 238 00:14:59,250 --> 00:15:02,250 Speaker 4: could spare anything on your way into the temple, I 239 00:15:02,290 --> 00:15:04,750 Speaker 4: would be forever grateful with your generosity. 240 00:15:05,250 --> 00:15:08,450 Speaker 1: Peter could tell Ira had rehearsed lines like this many 241 00:15:08,530 --> 00:15:11,920 Speaker 1: times before. It was apparent that the lame man had 242 00:15:12,020 --> 00:15:15,760 Speaker 1: no malicious intentions in ignoring him, but had simply learned 243 00:15:15,820 --> 00:15:20,180 Speaker 1: that apathy was the best way to avoid conflict. Peter 244 00:15:20,220 --> 00:15:23,780 Speaker 1: thought over the man's request for spare change, in light 245 00:15:23,800 --> 00:15:27,760 Speaker 1: of John's story from earlier. Ira had spent his days 246 00:15:27,920 --> 00:15:31,410 Speaker 1: asking for nothing more than a few pears, when the 247 00:15:31,490 --> 00:15:36,270 Speaker 1: Lord had provided himself with bushels of blessings to share. 248 00:15:36,050 --> 00:15:36,430 Speaker 2: With the man. 249 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:39,490 Speaker 3: I do not have any silver or gold to offer 250 00:15:39,510 --> 00:15:40,330 Speaker 3: to you, my friend. 251 00:15:40,970 --> 00:15:45,490 Speaker 1: Ira's countenance dropped at Peter's words. His eyes drooped back 252 00:15:45,550 --> 00:15:49,330 Speaker 1: to his mat and nearly empty dish. He had heard 253 00:15:49,430 --> 00:15:52,410 Speaker 1: many Jews make excuses as to why they couldn't spare 254 00:15:52,490 --> 00:15:55,970 Speaker 1: money for him in attempts to absolve themselves of guilt 255 00:15:56,410 --> 00:15:57,450 Speaker 1: for not helping the poor. 256 00:15:57,850 --> 00:16:01,490 Speaker 3: But what I do have, I happily give to you. 257 00:16:02,130 --> 00:16:06,510 Speaker 1: Ira mustered up every ounce of sincerity in his next words. 258 00:16:07,290 --> 00:16:10,670 Speaker 1: though in his mind money was the only thing that 259 00:16:10,710 --> 00:16:12,550 Speaker 1: would get him through the next day. 260 00:16:13,170 --> 00:16:16,590 Speaker 2: Thank you, brother. Whatever you have to offer, I will 261 00:16:16,630 --> 00:16:17,610 Speaker 2: gladly receive. 262 00:16:18,470 --> 00:16:22,360 Speaker 1: Peter smiled at the man's innocence. He recalled the countless 263 00:16:22,430 --> 00:16:25,560 Speaker 1: times he had watched Jesus heal lame men and women, 264 00:16:26,060 --> 00:16:30,560 Speaker 1: commanding them to arise. He centered his heart on Jesus, 265 00:16:31,340 --> 00:16:35,400 Speaker 1: feeling the Spirit's power moving through him. The miracles he 266 00:16:35,460 --> 00:16:39,210 Speaker 1: and the other apostles were performing were done through their hands, 267 00:16:39,330 --> 00:16:42,510 Speaker 1: but they all knew it was not by their own 268 00:16:42,590 --> 00:16:46,850 Speaker 1: power or might. Peter took a deep breath in, imagining 269 00:16:46,870 --> 00:16:50,930 Speaker 1: that Jesus himself would speak through him as he offered 270 00:16:50,990 --> 00:16:53,610 Speaker 1: this man a chance at a new life. 271 00:16:54,450 --> 00:16:58,190 Speaker 2: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk! 272 00:17:00,130 --> 00:17:03,450 Speaker 1: Ira nearly choked on his spit. The absurdity of what 273 00:17:03,490 --> 00:17:06,310 Speaker 1: this stranger had just said nearly caused him to topple 274 00:17:06,410 --> 00:17:09,940 Speaker 1: over in disbelief. Was this some sort of cruel joke? 275 00:17:10,740 --> 00:17:12,760 Speaker 1: Not only had he forced Ira to look at him, 276 00:17:13,359 --> 00:17:17,520 Speaker 1: but he had blatantly given Ira false hope for financial relief. 277 00:17:18,460 --> 00:17:22,240 Speaker 1: Ira managed to calm himself. Nothing good ever came from 278 00:17:22,359 --> 00:17:23,420 Speaker 1: stirring up contention. 279 00:17:24,340 --> 00:17:27,940 Speaker 2: Please, I don't want to cause any trouble. I've been 280 00:17:27,980 --> 00:17:31,680 Speaker 2: lame since birth, and I've come here every day to beg. 281 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:34,859 Speaker 2: But I do my best to stay out of people's way. 282 00:17:34,880 --> 00:17:37,000 Speaker 2: I would move if I could. 283 00:17:37,590 --> 00:17:42,109 Speaker 1: Peter said nothing as he extended a smile and his 284 00:17:42,210 --> 00:17:46,689 Speaker 1: right hand out to Ira. Ira stared down the long 285 00:17:46,770 --> 00:17:50,869 Speaker 1: length of his arm. He weighed his options. He had 286 00:17:50,910 --> 00:17:53,729 Speaker 1: done everything he could not to cause a scene with 287 00:17:53,770 --> 00:17:57,770 Speaker 1: his begging. He wasn't sure what Peter's intentions were, but 288 00:17:58,470 --> 00:18:02,710 Speaker 1: assessed from their interaction thus far that Peter's hand was 289 00:18:02,780 --> 00:18:06,659 Speaker 1: the path of least resistance. He gripped Peter's hand firmly. 290 00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:11,320 Speaker 1: and felt the apostle give him a slow but firm tug. 291 00:18:12,380 --> 00:18:15,730 Speaker 1: Was he going to force Ira onto his feet to 292 00:18:15,770 --> 00:18:19,250 Speaker 1: move him? What would Terza say when she found out? 293 00:18:20,330 --> 00:18:24,890 Speaker 1: Ira watched his legs shake underneath him as Peter continued 294 00:18:24,910 --> 00:18:29,959 Speaker 1: to pull him upwards. To Ira's astonishment, he didn't immediately 295 00:18:30,020 --> 00:18:33,680 Speaker 1: topple over. This was the closest that Ira had come 296 00:18:33,740 --> 00:18:39,460 Speaker 1: to standing in years. he could feel his pulse rising. Finally, 297 00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:44,840 Speaker 1: Ira landed fully upright. He tentatively allowed his weight to 298 00:18:44,960 --> 00:18:49,060 Speaker 1: sink into his heels. The tendons of his legs tingled 299 00:18:49,200 --> 00:18:54,010 Speaker 1: with what felt like tiny jolts of electricity. In an instant, 300 00:18:54,330 --> 00:18:58,050 Speaker 1: Peter released his grip on Ira, but rather than leaving 301 00:18:58,109 --> 00:19:00,510 Speaker 1: him to sink back into a heap on his mat, 302 00:19:01,730 --> 00:19:08,720 Speaker 1: Ira stood tall. His former hesitations now replaced with sheer excitement. 303 00:19:09,820 --> 00:19:15,359 Speaker 1: A warmth ran through his legs, revitalizing every deteriorated muscle 304 00:19:15,820 --> 00:19:19,340 Speaker 1: to their full strength. He felt the strength of his 305 00:19:19,460 --> 00:19:23,100 Speaker 1: youth rush back into him again, not just his legs, 306 00:19:23,700 --> 00:19:29,320 Speaker 1: but to his heart, mind, and soul. Ira jumped with joy, 307 00:19:30,050 --> 00:19:33,209 Speaker 1: giggling with shouts of glee like a child at play. 308 00:19:34,010 --> 00:19:37,669 Speaker 1: He hugged Peter, leaving imprints of tears on his tunic. 309 00:19:38,230 --> 00:19:42,219 Speaker 1: He turned to John and shook his hands energetically. I. 310 00:19:42,960 --> 00:19:43,300 Speaker 2: how. 311 00:19:44,520 --> 00:19:44,740 Speaker 3: who. 312 00:19:45,550 --> 00:19:46,810 Speaker 2: who are you? 313 00:19:46,830 --> 00:19:51,200 Speaker 3: It doesn't matter who we are. You were healed today 314 00:19:51,280 --> 00:19:54,000 Speaker 3: by the power of the Holy Spirit in the name 315 00:19:54,060 --> 00:19:58,660 Speaker 3: of Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Christ. Believe in him. 316 00:19:59,590 --> 00:20:05,590 Speaker 1: Ira was beside himself in pure, unadulterated praise. He lifted 317 00:20:05,630 --> 00:20:07,290 Speaker 1: his hands up to the heavens. 318 00:20:08,210 --> 00:20:13,360 Speaker 2: I believe I believe. Praise Adonai, the God who heals. 319 00:20:13,380 --> 00:20:18,080 Speaker 4: And praise Jesus of Nazareth, who has given me strength 320 00:20:18,580 --> 00:20:19,300 Speaker 4: this day. 321 00:20:19,880 --> 00:20:22,960 Speaker 1: Ira stepped closer to Peter and John as he wiped 322 00:20:22,980 --> 00:20:27,170 Speaker 1: the tears from his cheeks. His thoughts and emotions were 323 00:20:27,350 --> 00:20:31,730 Speaker 1: mingled together with an intensity that Ira had never known before. 324 00:20:32,710 --> 00:20:36,230 Speaker 1: There was no doubt in Ira's mind that these men 325 00:20:36,310 --> 00:20:41,040 Speaker 1: had been sent by God. Ira had lost years of 326 00:20:41,119 --> 00:20:45,340 Speaker 1: experience because of deficiency. He had never known the roughness 327 00:20:45,380 --> 00:20:48,860 Speaker 1: of climbing a tree, the wind in his face chasing 328 00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:52,190 Speaker 1: friends in the game of tag, or the simple pleasures 329 00:20:52,230 --> 00:20:55,730 Speaker 1: of strolling through the fields after a long day's work. 330 00:20:56,770 --> 00:21:00,830 Speaker 1: But now all Ira wanted to do was use his 331 00:21:00,990 --> 00:21:05,840 Speaker 1: legs to run into the presence of the God who 332 00:21:05,980 --> 00:21:07,980 Speaker 1: saw him and loved him. 333 00:21:11,640 --> 00:21:14,379 Speaker 5: Our story began with Peter and John heading to the 334 00:21:14,440 --> 00:21:17,719 Speaker 5: temple for the 3 p.m. prayer meeting. Now, I don't 335 00:21:17,760 --> 00:21:20,340 Speaker 5: know about you, but whenever I hear about Peter and 336 00:21:20,359 --> 00:21:23,300 Speaker 5: John together, I think of a buddy movie. Peter, the 337 00:21:23,340 --> 00:21:26,140 Speaker 5: bold and brash one, and John, the thoughtful disciple whom 338 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:30,020 Speaker 5: Jesus loved. They're like the dynamic duo of the early church. 339 00:21:30,440 --> 00:21:32,740 Speaker 5: They're on their way to pray, but God had other 340 00:21:32,760 --> 00:21:36,010 Speaker 5: plans for them. You see, sometimes God's greatest work happens 341 00:21:36,050 --> 00:21:38,290 Speaker 5: when we're just trying to do what we always do. 342 00:21:38,850 --> 00:21:41,710 Speaker 5: God will break the mundane patterns of our everyday lives 343 00:21:41,930 --> 00:21:44,740 Speaker 5: and put something in front of us, a divine appointment 344 00:21:44,859 --> 00:21:48,440 Speaker 5: that needs our attention. Enter the lame man. Every day 345 00:21:48,500 --> 00:21:50,580 Speaker 5: his friends carried him to the temple gate, and every 346 00:21:50,600 --> 00:21:53,540 Speaker 5: day he sat there begging for alms. This wasn't a 347 00:21:53,619 --> 00:21:55,900 Speaker 5: new gig for him. He'd been doing this for years, 348 00:21:56,210 --> 00:21:59,770 Speaker 5: decades even. His routine was set, get dropped off, beg, 349 00:21:59,970 --> 00:22:02,970 Speaker 5: collect what he could, and repeat. But today wasn't going 350 00:22:02,990 --> 00:22:06,050 Speaker 5: to be just another day. As Peter and John approached, 351 00:22:06,109 --> 00:22:09,130 Speaker 5: the man asked for alms, and Here's where it gets interesting. 352 00:22:09,550 --> 00:22:11,590 Speaker 5: Peter and John didn't ignore him or just toss a 353 00:22:11,609 --> 00:22:15,330 Speaker 5: few coins to ease their conscience. No, they did something radical. 354 00:22:15,830 --> 00:22:18,530 Speaker 5: Look at us, Peter said. Now, that might not seem 355 00:22:18,570 --> 00:22:20,790 Speaker 5: like much, but think about it. When we want to 356 00:22:20,850 --> 00:22:23,950 Speaker 5: ignore someone, we avoid eye contact, right? But Peter and 357 00:22:23,990 --> 00:22:27,220 Speaker 5: John looked right at him. The man was probably expecting money, 358 00:22:27,520 --> 00:22:30,560 Speaker 5: something to help him get by just another day. But 359 00:22:30,859 --> 00:22:33,310 Speaker 5: isn't that just like us? We often come to God 360 00:22:33,350 --> 00:22:37,030 Speaker 5: with small expectations, hoping for a little help to get by. 361 00:22:37,369 --> 00:22:39,649 Speaker 5: But God, in his infinite wisdom, wants to give us 362 00:22:39,730 --> 00:22:42,890 Speaker 5: so much more than we ask for. The man expects coins, 363 00:22:43,030 --> 00:22:45,430 Speaker 5: but God wants to give him an entirely new life. 364 00:22:45,990 --> 00:22:49,639 Speaker 5: Peter's next words are both humbling and profound. Silver and 365 00:22:49,680 --> 00:22:51,640 Speaker 5: gold I do not have, but what I do give you, 366 00:22:51,760 --> 00:22:54,399 Speaker 5: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up 367 00:22:54,460 --> 00:22:57,760 Speaker 5: and walk. Can you imagine the shock? The lame man 368 00:22:57,880 --> 00:23:00,639 Speaker 5: must have thought, wait, what? I was just asking for 369 00:23:00,680 --> 00:23:03,200 Speaker 5: some change and now you're telling me to walk? Here's 370 00:23:03,220 --> 00:23:06,139 Speaker 5: the thing. Peter didn't have money, but he had something 371 00:23:06,180 --> 00:23:09,860 Speaker 5: far better. The power of Jesus' name. Friends, let's be real. 372 00:23:09,920 --> 00:23:12,510 Speaker 5: Sometimes we think the church is in bad shape when 373 00:23:12,530 --> 00:23:14,930 Speaker 5: it lacks silver and gold. But I'd rather have a 374 00:23:14,990 --> 00:23:17,490 Speaker 5: church that can say, in the name of Jesus, rise 375 00:23:17,530 --> 00:23:20,490 Speaker 5: up and walk, than a church overflowing with wealth and 376 00:23:20,609 --> 00:23:24,379 Speaker 5: empty spiritual power. Peter didn't just speak words, he acted 377 00:23:24,460 --> 00:23:26,419 Speaker 5: on them. He reached out, he grabbed him by the 378 00:23:26,460 --> 00:23:28,920 Speaker 5: hand and lifted him up. And at that moment, something 379 00:23:28,960 --> 00:23:33,080 Speaker 5: incredible happened. Immediately, his feet and his ankle bones received strength. 380 00:23:33,740 --> 00:23:36,660 Speaker 5: You know, Luke, the physician, gives us an interesting detail here. 381 00:23:36,850 --> 00:23:39,409 Speaker 5: It wasn't a gradual healing. It wasn't, well, give it 382 00:23:39,430 --> 00:23:41,350 Speaker 5: a few weeks of physical therapy and you'll be good 383 00:23:41,369 --> 00:23:41,670 Speaker 5: to go. 384 00:23:41,690 --> 00:23:43,330 Speaker 2: No, it was immediate. 385 00:23:43,410 --> 00:23:45,990 Speaker 5: And just like that, the man who had never walked 386 00:23:46,109 --> 00:23:50,860 Speaker 5: in his life started walking, leaping and praising God. Imagine that. 387 00:23:51,369 --> 00:23:53,430 Speaker 5: This guy is jumping around like he had just won 388 00:23:53,470 --> 00:23:56,890 Speaker 5: the lottery, and in the sense, he did. He didn't 389 00:23:56,910 --> 00:23:59,340 Speaker 5: just receive a few coins, he received new legs, a 390 00:23:59,380 --> 00:24:03,119 Speaker 5: new life, and a new reason to worship. This story 391 00:24:03,240 --> 00:24:06,480 Speaker 5: begs the question, what are we expecting from God? Are 392 00:24:06,500 --> 00:24:08,699 Speaker 5: we coming to him with small requests, just asking for 393 00:24:08,740 --> 00:24:11,439 Speaker 5: enough to get by? Or are we ready for him 394 00:24:11,500 --> 00:24:14,369 Speaker 5: to say, rise up and walk? Sometimes we're so focused 395 00:24:14,430 --> 00:24:16,870 Speaker 5: on getting through the day that we forget God wants 396 00:24:16,910 --> 00:24:19,840 Speaker 5: to transform our entire lives. And for those of us 397 00:24:19,880 --> 00:24:21,760 Speaker 5: who feel like Peter and John, who feel like we 398 00:24:21,780 --> 00:24:24,520 Speaker 5: don't have much to give, remember this. We may not 399 00:24:24,560 --> 00:24:26,960 Speaker 5: have silver and gold, but we do have the name 400 00:24:27,020 --> 00:24:30,570 Speaker 5: of Jesus. And that name is more powerful than any wealth, influence, 401 00:24:30,609 --> 00:24:33,250 Speaker 5: or position you could ever hold. The story ends with 402 00:24:33,330 --> 00:24:36,290 Speaker 5: a man who has never walked before, clinging to Peter 403 00:24:36,330 --> 00:24:39,090 Speaker 5: and John, entering the temple and praising God. And all 404 00:24:39,109 --> 00:24:42,030 Speaker 5: the people who saw him were filled with wonder and amazement. 405 00:24:42,550 --> 00:24:43,110 Speaker 1: They love that. 406 00:24:43,690 --> 00:24:46,230 Speaker 5: They were used to seeing him begging, but now he's praising. 407 00:24:46,740 --> 00:24:49,320 Speaker 5: And when God changes a life, it's impossible to miss. 408 00:24:50,180 --> 00:24:53,220 Speaker 5: So what can we take away from this? Two things. First, 409 00:24:53,600 --> 00:24:56,040 Speaker 5: let's expect more from God. Let's not settle for a 410 00:24:56,080 --> 00:24:58,280 Speaker 5: few coins when God wants to give us new legs. 411 00:24:58,920 --> 00:25:01,619 Speaker 5: And second, let's give him what we have. It may 412 00:25:01,660 --> 00:25:04,310 Speaker 5: not be silver and gold, but what we do have 413 00:25:04,369 --> 00:25:07,649 Speaker 5: is Jesus. And if we have Jesus, we have everything 414 00:25:07,710 --> 00:25:10,790 Speaker 5: we need. So as we go about this week, let's 415 00:25:10,810 --> 00:25:13,810 Speaker 5: be a church, a people moved by compassion that look 416 00:25:13,830 --> 00:25:16,770 Speaker 5: people in the eye, expect big things from God, and 417 00:25:16,850 --> 00:25:19,260 Speaker 5: aren't afraid to say in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, 418 00:25:19,580 --> 00:25:20,750 Speaker 5: rise up and walk.