Is that what I was looking for?
There are episodes in scripture that make me chuckle, even though they are not primarily written for comedic purposes.
Case in point this bit,
And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. (Acts 3:2-7)
There’s nothing overtly funny about this. Indeed, reading this should lead to shouts of joy and delight at the wonderful works of God.
What I chuckle at is the image of Peter and John staring at the man and the man fixing his attention to them. The man looking expecting what he asked for while Peter and John look at something completely different.
“What’s funny about that?” You might still be asking. But to me it makes me chuckle when you know something that someone else doesn’t know and they weren’t expecting and they got more than they bargained for – in a positive way. It just tickles me to see people experience that.
It’s like – when they’re of age – one of my children coming to me asking for and expecting some help towards driving lessons only for me to let them know that I’ve purchased all the lessons … and the new car … and the new house with the garage for it … and a lifetime of car support and maintenance. I mean, come on, they might have felt they could have done with that, but it was far more than what they were asking for.
Here’s this guy and we know for sure he was not looking to be healed of his condition. That was not his expectation and why should it have been? He expected to receive something that was within his realm of experience. That’s what he’s looking for.
Yet Peter and John have fixed their attention the risen Saviour in whose name great things could happen. Great things like this man’s real needs being met – the need for the experience of perfect health. They might have looked at this man, but their focus was on Jesus and faith in His name. That’s what they were looking for.
So many have certain needs that they feel can be met in their reach and their experience. Yet there are even more fundamental flaws and failings that are in need of fixing. And by faith in the name of Jesus some can experience that healing. And that demonstration of the rule of God in action can help others realise that they can be looking for so much more than what is fleeting, temporary and superficial in nature.
In fact for me, the experience is that while I was looking for something that would satisfy for the here and now – a plaster to cover for the time being – Jesus gave me something of far greater value. To grow to know Him, to see Him do far more in my life than what I was expecting and to reaffirm that following Him is the only thing of eternal value continues to challenge me to encourage people to look to Him.
Much as I chuckle at the stare off between the man hoping for some money and two men hoping for some miracle, I want to experience more people get more than they bargained for by encountering Jesus. It’s my desire to witness more people grow in the knowledge of Him who can heal and restore in ways far beyond what we hope for or expect.
That’s what I’m looking for.
(Photo by Ben White on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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