“When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. …”
In this passage Peter and John were entering the Temple for an important meeting launching the New Testament Church. Sitting close to the entrance was a beggar, and scripture points out something interesting. It says that Peter and John “looked straight at him”. That verse caught my attention… because I often don’t.
Sometimes when I see someone in need I look away, making sure I don’t catch their eye. This causes me to miss opportunities to minister because, unlike Peter and John, I’m not looking for them. Instead of being eager to spontaneously share the love of God, I find myself either busy or uncomfortable. This makes me a hypocrite, praying I will be used by God as I rush past His children while they beg for help.
As a Christian, I should understand that I’m more likely to have opportunities to witness on my way to church - than once I arrive. And I miss those opportunities when I’m not looking for them. The battlefield for evangelism is in offices, restaurants, classrooms, and public gatherings. Jesus said His disciples will be recognized by the way they love… and you can’t love someone if you’re not willing to look at them.
The next few verses in this passage show the importance of John and Peter noticing the beggar. God uses this crippled man to attract people so Peter could preach the gospel - and that doesn’t happen unless Peter and John stop and look into his eyes.
They didn’t see this meeting as uncomfortable, because they saw him as a child of God… They didn’t see his handicap, his skin color, nor his political affiliation … They saw a man that God loves, in need of help. They looked him in the eye, and gave him the truth about his condition, and a way for him to be healed.
That is our job as well. Love your neighbor enough to instinctively introduce them to your Savior. Don’t overlook your ministry as you’re rushing into church… love broken people…. You can find them everywhere, but you won’t see them if you don’t look at them.
“God forbid that I should travel with anybody a quarter of an hour without speaking of Christ to them.” – George Whitefield
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