Silver & Gold, Have I None

Sunday, September 25

Acts 3:1-9

“Silver & Gold, Have I None”

It seems that after the resurrection of the Lord that Peter and John created a bond together. In our text we see these two together again.

This finds them going out as they were told to do, and that was to embark upon the Great Commission.

Just prior to this in chapter two, these apostles along with peers had been baptized by the Holy Spirit, Peter preached to a throng of people and over 3000 of them came to salvation and eternal life.

Now the real work was beginning. Taking the gospel to the streets.

Peter and John were doing just that.

They were Heading to the temple to share the word to anyone that would listen.

There were three times for Temple prayer:

9am – called the third hour

12 noon – call the the 6th hour

3pm called the 9th hour

If those times sound familiar, they are.

These are the hours of which our Lord hung on the cross. Yes, As Christ was being crucified, the synagogue went about as business as usual.

Until Christ gave up the ghost and bailed. Tore into any after that. Our access to God the Father became an open road.

Why the apostles went to the third prayer time is unknown to me, other than it was the time the Holy Spirit wanted them there.

The gate beautiful is believed to have been located near Solomon’s Porch, which was part of course to the temple.

Scholars have unconsciously identified this as the gate Nicanor or the gate Shushan.

It was most definitely a very busy point of the entrance to the outer court of the temple.

It was a common place for physically impaired to gather. In bank for financial help from people coming to and from the synagogue. It was a great location due to worshippers carrying money for their ties and offerings into the temple and perhaps saving a bit to give to the poor and physically impaired.

This is why the friends and family of the unnamed lame man brought him everyday less the Sabbath to make a living per se.

This man depended on the goodwill and generosity of others to survive.

The afternoon of this miracle was most likely just like any other day to this man.

I can picture this man being placed in the most optimum place possible and as people get close to him that he would place out his hand. Or whatever and plead for mercy. From the worshippers. And then giving him alms or financial help.

Likely not even looking up into the faces of the people. Was it shame, force of habit, I don’t know.

We know from our text that he didn’t see whom he was begging from because Peter instructed him saying look at us. The lame man saw two men but made no eye contact.

He did as he. Was told to do, expecting they were going to give him albums.

But boy, were they wrong, very wrong.

Peter then made this great statement. “Silver and gold. I have none.”

OK, let’s stop there for a second.

The apostles most likely really didn’t have any money on them to give them an.

Following the Lord wasn’t and never should be. Lucrative. Financial endeavor.

Nor, in my opinion, should it ever be.

But Peter then continued “What I do have. I am so glad to share it and give it to you.”

No strings attached; “I am going to share the great healing power of Jesus Christ.

In his name, rise up and walk!”

This man, who from birth had literally never stood on his own two feet.

He was moments away from doing so.

Peter reached down and took him by the right. Arm. Pull him up any mentally his normally unresponsive feet and ankles were healed, and he stood, and like a toddler, he walked for the first time. Not only did he walk, but he was leaping for

joy and was praising the Lord. And everyone saw him, and the Lord was glorified.

Do you think that this was noticed? Do you think that people who maybe for years passed by this beggar were in all of it? People couldn’t deny what had just occurred!

Peter and John were used by the Holy Spirit to bring both a physical healing and spiritual salvation. Also the assurance and hope of eternal life.

It didn’t cost them an even denarius because the cost of his healing and salvation was paid for by Jesus at Calvary.

The Beggar received something worth far more than any silver or gold he could have been given. Even the treasures of Solomon would not have been sufficient.

Store not your treasures here on Earth where moth can corrupt and where thieves can breakthrough and steal, but rather store your treasures in heaven, where. Moth and rust cannot corrupt and where thief’s breakthrough and steal.

Sure, silver and gold make the world go round, It pays the bills, but it can’t buy anyone true joy and happiness, Only Jesus can do that.

You know salvation in its own right is a miracle.

It’s a miracle that John 3:16 was even possible.

Salvation is worth far more rubies and precious gems.

What was your salvation worth to you?

Status, job, relationship, personal dreams?

In reality, anything sacrificed by us pales to the sacrifices of our Lord.

Listen, the moment. Monetary and material matters of this world are nothing compared to the riches of heaven and glory.

You, Christian and believer, are a walking, talking miracle. Your heart and mind have been touched and healed.