In the Name of Jesus

Reading : Acts 3:1-16

Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, 

but what I do have I give you.

 Acts 3:6

Eastertide reminds us that Jesus is alive, not only in memory but in power. In Acts 3, Peter and John meet a man who had never been able to walk. Peter begins with honesty: “Silver and gold I do not have.” He does not pretend to have what he lacks. But he does not stop there. He adds, “What I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Peter offers what he has, and what he has is faith in the risen Jesus.

This is a beautiful picture of Christian living. God does not ask us to give what we do not have. He asks us to offer what He has already placed in our hands. We may not have wealth, influence, or answers for every problem. But we can still offer prayer, kindness, hope, encouragement, compassion, and the name of Jesus. Christian action begins when we stop pretending and start giving ourselves honestly to the needs around us.

When the crowd gathers in amazement, Peter quickly points away from himself. He asks, “Why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk?” Peter knows that the healing did not come from his own strength. It came from the living Christ. Then he boldly says, “You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.” That is the heart of Easter: Jesus was crucified, but He is now risen and glorified.

To live Christ in Eastertide is to trust that Jesus is still at work today. He uses ordinary people who are willing to offer what they have in His name. When our small gifts are surrendered to Him, the risen Lord can do more than we imagine.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You that Jesus is alive. Teach us to offer You what we have and to trust You to use it for Your glory. Help us to point others to Christ and to live each day in the power of His resurrection. Amen.