“Silver and gold, have I none. But such as I have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ rise up and walk . . .” How did the church in Jerusalem begin to change the world? They were not wealthy or influential. Former fishermen walked up to the Temple at the hour of prayer and lifted a lame man to his feet. They were continuing to do and to teach what Jesus had begun to do and to teach.
When the lame man ran jumping up and down and praising God, the people were astonished. They knew he had been lame but didn’t know how he could walk. Peter took the occasion to preach his second sermon. He had told them that the promise of the Holy Spirit was for them and their children. On this day he preached repentance and faith to find a season of refreshing.
The life we are all looking for resides in Christ alone. When we turn from sin and trust in him he restores our souls and leads us in paths of righteousness for the sake of his beautiful name. Do we seek refreshment, revival and renewal? These things we so desperately need are not for sale in any store. Good news: they are free for the asking if we will receive them.
A leader of the church during the Middle Ages marveled at the money and the artworks around him and mused aloud, “The church can no longer say, ‘Silver and gold we do not have.’” His assistant said, “Neither can we say any longer, ‘In the name of Jesus rise and walk.’” Let us repent and return to God and find full restoration in Jesus’ name.
