The life of Simon Peter has always been of particular interest to God’s people. His very names blend together the human and the divine, even as does Jacob/Israel. How vividly he manifests the frailty of human nature and the rock-like character of divine transformation. While much has been written concerning his call to discipleship in John 1:42, his consecration to service in Luke 5:1-5; 6:13, his confession in Matthew 16:13-18, and his companionship with Christ so wonderfully unfolded in his letters (Mk. 1:28-37; 3:13-35), the words “I give” in the story of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate is the consummation and summary of his magnetic life and labors.
These words of Peter’s are remarkable: “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee.” In these days of immense expenditure on places of worship, religious organization, and ceremonial services, it is searching to think that the gospel was preached in mighty power without money. Our Lord went about doing good, but He had no money with which to do it. It is still possible for a few simple preachers to go out in poverty and win a mighty harvest of souls for Christ.
John and Peter were complements of one another. What Peter lacked, John possessed. They were devoted to their Master and to each other. Their source of power was prayer. Their eyes were towards the Lord, and the incident in Acts 3 reveals that the true wealth of the Church is not material but spiritual.
Laid Up (vv. 1-5)
1. His age. The first thing a good examiner seeks in medical work is the case history of the patient. We learn this man was above 40 years of age (4:22). Like the healing power of Heaven, restoring little children, young people, and adults, the salvation of God is for all ages.
2. His affliction (v. 2). Here was a helpless case, a paralytic from birth. His case was similar to Mephibosheth’s of the Old Testament–“lame on both his feet.” Such a condition aptly sets forth the sinner’s need.
3. His abode. The place where the man lived is not recorded, but we do know where he spent most of his time. He was a beggar outside the temple at the gate called Beautiful. This gate was made of Corinthian brass (a metal more precious than gold at the time), of costly and magnificent proportions. It was 80 feet high and 60 feet wide and took twenty men to close it. Yet for all its magnificence, it was a doorway to nowhere for this man. He needed contact with the One who said, “I am the way”; “I am the door.”
4. His alms (v. 3). As the lame man spotted John and Peter coming to the temple at the hour of prayer, he asked alms. Like the little Southern girl said, “He asked for alms and got legs.” God never disappoints and He is able to meet every need of saint or sinner.
Raised Up (vv. 6-7)
The helpless man became the happy man. The man who offered hope–“look on us”–became the man who imparted health–“immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.” He was raised up by the power of God from the state of a beggar to that of a worshipper.
His healing may be viewed from two aspects:
1. The negative aspect. It was not on the silver or gold standard: “Silver and gold have I none” is the language of Peter. The healing of the lame man was not by human means. Neither Peter nor John were men associated with the schools of the day, yet they had the power of God. Again the law proved its weakness to change a life; only Christ can do it.
2. The positive aspect. Health came to this man because of the object of his faith. “And His name through faith in His name, hath made this man strong” (v. 16). The name of the Lord Jesus speaks of His person and work. Peter used the historical name of Jesus of Nazareth, as well as the divine name, Christ, the anointed One.
Tuned Up (vv. 8-11)
The lame man experienced the power of God in his life. He became the first witness to the power of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice the steps: “He received strength,” “stood,” “walked,” “leaping and praising.” What holy joy surged through this man’s life as he knew and felt the grace and power of God in reality. In these words we have the history of the soul. Salvation–he received strength for his utter helplessness. Strength–he was able to walk. Singing–he exchanged his role from a beggar to a blesser of the Name. How this reminds us of the history of the psalmist in Psalm 40.
I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust…. (vv. 1-4).
On a visit to the Pope at Rome, Thomas Aquinas was shown the papal treasures. The pontiff said, “You will observe the Church has no longer to say, ‘Silver and gold have I none.'”
Aquinas answered: “Neither can she say, ‘Rise up and walk.'”
Though Peter had three falls–before the Lord, before the world, and before the Church–how encouraging it is to know that he not only was graciously restored, but was given a ministry as a result: “when thou art restored, strengthen thy brethren.”
Whether on a pivotal day such as Pentecost or on an ordinary typical day as recorded in Acts 3, the dominating passion of Peter’s life was giving. He gave what he had, and so can the very poorest of us today. Peter could do nothing better than give what he had. We may be failures financially. We may be physically weak or unimpressive. We may not be greatly gifted intellectually. We may think we are devoid of talents. But in spite of all shortcomings–in spite of all weaknesses–we can give.
Every man can be a giver if he wants to be. Can we write our own biographies, as Peter could, with one sentence–“I give”? In a world full of people wanting to get, called consumers, a giver stands out.
But how can we give? What can we give? Peter gave what God had given him. Our God is “the giver of every good and perfect gift.” Thus we can afford to be generous.
Remember the little lad who gave what he had to Christ and it was used to bring blessing to a multitude. Remember the chorus that has often challenged our hearts:
Shamgar had an ox-goad,
David had a sling,
Dorcas had a needle,
Rahab had some string,
Samson had a jawbone,
Moses had a rod,
Mary had some ointment, but…
They all were used for God.
Remember that the One who asks us to give was the One who gave His all for us. And remember that He is no man’s debtor.
Peter gave what he had, not what he expected to have tomorrow, nor what he had yesterday, but that which was a possession of his at that moment: “What I have, I give.” May we follow the example of one of heaven’s multi-millionaires, who did not make excuses for what he could not give, but simply gave what he could.