Passing It On

Acts 3: 1-26 (June 5)

My home is filled with sentimental treasures... things that have been passed on from those who came before me. Things I hope to pass on myself someday.

My heart is also filled with things that have been passed on through the passage of time... memories, stories I have heard over and over again, sweet sayings, certain smells that remind me of a special place or person, little pieces of my personality that come from those who had a part in my upbringing.

I think that is true for most of us. We cherish these things. They matter to us.

I think that we often tend to forget that something far greater has been passed on to us...from the Father himself. We have the power of the Holy Spirit, which allows us to do things we never thought we could... if we trust and believe.

That is where Peter and John find themselves in today's reading. They are heading into the Temple for prayer when they see a lame man being carried in.

This man is a common sight at the Beautiful Gate. He is there to beg from those entering the temple. He can't work...so he relays in the generosity of others.

As the two disciples pass this man, he begs from them as well. And boy, does he get so much more than he expected!

Peter is confident in his power through the Holy Spirit. He believes what Jesus had told him he could do. So he says to this beggar, "I don't have any silver or gold for you. But I'll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazarene, get up and walk!"

There you have it...the power of the Holy Spirit passed on from Jesus to Peter, who is now passing it on to this beggar with no hope.

Peter reaches down and helps the man stand. Amazingly he is healed! And the people who have walked past this man day after day, year after year, are astounded! (Wouldn't you be?)

Peter knows a good opportunity when he sees one and takes this moment to witness to them. He reminds them that this power comes from the same one they chose to reject, crucify, and kill.

He tells them that it is faith in the name of Jesus that has healed this poor man. And he offers them the opportunity for that same faith.

He tells them they are all children of Abraham, who was promised that "through his descendants all the families of the earth will be blessed."

This crowd is reminded that they have the chance to receive that which is being passed on. All they have to do is turn away from their sin and put their faith in Jesus.

The same opportunity exists for this world today. The same opportunity to inherit what is passed on from the moment that promise was made to Abraham.

We are the inheritance. We have the Holy Spirit within us, and the power that comes with that gift.

Will you believe in that power? Will you use it to build up His kingdom?

Will you Pass It On?