Healing beyond Gold and Silver
Carmel MTC, Boston,MA
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I
have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,[a] stand up and walk.” 7 And he took him
by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were
made strong.
While a lot has been said from Peter's Perspective about "healing in the name of Christ" and spreading the word of God in word and deed, let’s take a look at this passage from the beggar's perspective.
While a lot has been said from Peter's Perspective about "healing in the name of Christ" and spreading the word of God in word and deed, let’s take a look at this passage from the beggar's perspective.
In this passage we see a typical
scenario where a physically challenged man probably unable to find a
sustainable employment resorts to begging and seeking alms from people coming
to the temple of God. Expecting some money, the beggar asks Peter and John to
spare some change.
Peter may have had money in his
pockets to spare and provide a temporary solution to the beggar’s problem.
Instead, he looks at his overall issues and provides him with an everlasting
and permanent solution to his problems - in the name of Christ! He heals the
man and makes him capable of walking.
In today’s world, all that we
know and learn as human beings is to be self-sufficient, self-confident and try
to solve our own problems. While this is a good trait to develop, we often
find ourselves clueless and more helpless than ever before. Have we taken
it so far that we believe in no one - but ourselves? On the materialistic side
- do we seek wealth and money as answers to all our problems?
One must never start
relying on man made science and materialistic comfort as the ultimate
deliverance. Wealth and materialistic pleasure that we seek can at best suffice
for the short term and temporary needs.
PRAYER
Our heavenly father- grant us the
strength to understand the true meaning of "Thy will be done - On earth as
it is heaven". While we see our wants, we know that you see our needs and
provides for us. Grant us the patience and strength to be able to rely on you
and leave all our troubles in Your mighty hands.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“Those who leave everything in God’s
hands, will eventually see God's hand in everything”. Author unknown