An Act of Kindness

 

  The beggar who was healed by Peter and John at the temple gate (Acts 3:1-10) was not healed because he had faith in Jesus. He was healed "as an act of kindness" (4:9) because Peter and John had faith.  His healing presented the opportunity for Peter to preach to the crowd that gathered.  The crowd came to believe in Jesus, and now "the number of men (who believed) grew to about five thousand" (4:4).  Because they were in the temple area when Peter was preaching, the priests and the Sadducees also heard what was being said.  The Sadducees didn't like it that Peter was talking about the resurrection of the dead, which the Sadducees did not believe in.  And they were growing jealous that so many people were beginning to follow this new teaching about Jesus.
  The outcomes of the healing of the crippled beggar were that he, who was over 40 years old (4:22), was given a whole new life; Peter had the opportunity to preach in the temple area; many
people came to believe; the religious leaders grew uneasy.  One act of kindness had several ramifications.

  For reflection:  Is there an act of kindness that I can do for someone today?  Am I brave enough to tell someone about Jesus and speak a word of healing to them?  What possible consequences keep me from acting?  
   Let us pray.  Holy Spirit, we need your Holy Boldness today.

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