Greater (than) Expectations

Sometimes we find ourselves at a loss for how to best minister to our Zambian brothers and sisters – how to strengthen the church and empower believers here to share the gospel within and outside of Zambia.  (Read Luke’s post on the church in Zambia here )

Yesterday our friend Kit shared a devotion from Acts 3 that has since had me contemplating the goals, methods, and motives of modern missions, and I’ve realized it’s about going back to the basics.  We can look at the book of Acts and the growth of the early church – where it wasn’t about black and white, rich and poor, haves and have nots – but about the power of God and the Redemption through the blood of Christ.

 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.  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 3:1-10)

Just the other day I was walking through town and had the following conversation:

Young boy: How are you madam?

Me: I am fine. How are you?

Young boy: Christmas.

(typically this sort of conversation involves something specific, like “give me money” or “I want 10 pin”, but apparently I was supposed to infer that by simply saying “Christmas” he was asking for a gift)

Me: Excuse me?

Young boy: Christmas!

Many times when money is demanded of us from young children or even adults, I get frustrated and say something to the effect of “just because I have white skin does not mean I have money to give away.”  But with this boy, I realized I had an opportunity.  So I told him the meaning of Christmas.  I told him it’s not about packages and gifts, but about the ultimate gift.  I told him if he accepted the gift of our Savior, he would one day have great riches in the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Not sure if he got it.  I think he was just frustrated his demand fell through, so he simply said “okay” and walked away.

Reading back through the story of Peter and John and the beggar, I noticed a few things.  First of all, the beggar was “put” outside the temple gate each day.  We don’t know if he would have chosen that for his own life.  Perhaps those community members who looked after him wished to take advantage of his disability to their own benefit.  So many of the children here are put on the streets at a young age as professional beggars.  There is a young man named Clifford that Luke has been tutoring a bit, who has to work his tutoring schedule around his “job.” His job: standing outside Shoprite ready to help people carry their groceries to their car and unload their carts, hoping for a cash tip.  He has not been hired by Shoprite, but rather we think his family expects him to bring home a certain amount of money each day, and he knows what times to go to catch busy crowds and more business.  But like the beggar – is this what he would choose to do if he had that choice?

Second, the beggar “expected” to receive something from Peter and John.  After all, he was outside the temple, and it was part of the social and religious structure to give alms to the poor – he was just making the giving easier for those expected to give.  Sadly, it’s become expected here as well. Even the well-dressed and well-fed see us and say, “give me money.” It’s not what can you teach me, but what can you give me?  Sometimes we feel we are asked to speak in churches not because they want to hear what the Lord will speak through us, but because they hope we’ll empty our pockets into the offering plate.

I ask when the gospel got so convoluted, but even in the time of the early church there were expectations that involved riches on earth over riches in heaven.

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.” (Acts 3:6)

In verse 8, we see that the beggar realized the gift he was given was so much greater than silver or gold.  He was empowered.  He no longer had to sit at the temple gate begging, but could walk – jump – into the temple and praise the living God!  And the light in him shone in a way that many others were amazed and the door was opened for Peter to share the truth of Christ with the crowd. 

So how do we really share the joy of the gift we’ve been given?  Handing out money to a street kid isn’t going to teach him about Jesus – or give him the freedom that is possible only through the healing hand of God.  But like Peter, we can give what we have.  An awesome gift.  A glimpse of light as we walk and jump and praise the Lord.  A message the child can take to his family and they can be amazed as the crowds were.  As one local Zambian leader said recently in a discussion regarding his church’s Christmas celebration (or lack thereof), the wise men didn’t come to Jesus looking for gifts, but to bring gifts to the King. When we bring our gifts of praise to the King, and spread the news of His forever reign, the focus turns from black and white and rich and poor to His glory, His grace, His purpose.

There are expectations to break – but the end results are greater.  Who needs silver and gold when you can have the unending joy of eternal life?