Acts 3 - Interrupted
Acts 3 - Interrupted
Acts 3 opens up with Peter and John heading to the temple to pray. Here is what the verse says;
“Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service.” - Acts of the Apostles 3:1 NLT
What stands out to me, and it says this in all the versions I checked, this was a scheduled time. It’s the three o’clock prayer service. Other translations call it the ninth hour, but what we know is there is a set time.
I don’t know about you, but I hate being late. I like to be on time, ready, and prepared for whatever I have scheduled. My wife, she feels late if she isn’t five minutes early. So, in these moments, heading out the door to make church service, a double dinner date, or a meeting with the teacher, whatever event you are heading to, there is nothing more frustrating than being interrupted. Let me unpack the power, the beauty of what God can do, and I believe he wants to do by interrupting us. Let’s check out how Peter responded.
“One day, Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.” - Acts 3:1-5 NIV
A few things here are interesting to me. Luke, as he wrote this, he decided to let us know that this beggar was in this same spot every day. This stands out because I would imagine this became normal to see this man. Things that become normal, we can seem to tune out and just move on past. But, for some reason, Peter and John didn’t just move on past, they engaged him. They had a three o’clock prayer service they didn’t want to be late for, but they choose to embrace the interruption.
“Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” - Acts 3:6-10 NIV
Peter again stepped into the moment. We read this in chapter 1, chapter 2 and now, chapter 3. Peter stepped into the moment, embraced the interruption, and forever changed this man's life. Think for a moment, this very ordinary day, a regular and run of the mill moment that turned into something special. I can imagine this happens to me regularly, a typical day, a run of the mill situation that I just pass on my because I have a three o’clock appointment that I just miss the opportunity.
It also stands out to me that this location was called Beautiful. That stands out again because this was the location the beggar was every day, lame, hurting, hungry, struggling to survive, and this was called Beautiful. My wonder is where are all the places that could have been beautiful, but I just walked on by and didn’t want to be interrupted. How many conversations, interactions had the opportunity to become beautiful, but they weren’t because I didn’t step in like Peter did, and bring the name of Jesus.
Instead of dwelling on the past, I read this interaction and find myself so inspired by Peter again, and his willingness to be interrupted. We know that Jesus Christ makes all thing beautiful, and we have an opportunity to bring that beauty into the world. It’s my prayer for today and the days to come to allow myself to see the beauty beyond the normal, to set into the moment and allow the interruption. Who knows, there just might be a miracle on the other side of the interruption.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” - Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV