Contemplative Bible Reading

Acts 3:6-8 (New International Version 2011)

⁶ 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.” ⁷ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. ⁸ He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

These verses are found in the (hi)story of Peter and John healing the man born lame. Looking back through the contemplations I have written from the book of Acts, I see three or four from this (hi)story. That means I like this (hi)story and the things I learn from how Peter and John conducted themselves.

Today’s post emphasizes what Peter did in verse 7:

Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.

The man was lame; he survived by sitting in the dust all day and begging. I doubt that his hands were clean and I am almost certain that no one had one of those bottles of sanitizing gel. The guy was filthy. Who knows what diseases he had on his hands.

Nevertheless, Peter reached down and took the man’s hand.

I cannot overemphasize what it means to touch someone, especially to take someone by the hand. I have to move close to a person to take their hand:

• close enough for them to harm me if that is what they intend
• close enough for them to fall on me if they are without strength
• close enough for them to give me their diseases if they have them
• close enough for all sorts of bad things to happen by intent or merely circumstance

When I move close to a person to take their hand, I am inviting many possible bad things. I am also inviting the person into my life so that I can serve him, work with him, and show him what Jesus and His direct followers would have done.

I thank God for all the people He has sent into my life who have come close enough to take my hand and show me the way when I would have otherwise gone done a wrong path.