Outisde the temple gate

Everyday his friends would carry him to the Gate of the Temple called "Beautiful" so he could beg.  He had been lame from birth.

This is the setting for this Sunday's story of healing from Acts 3.  When the beggar accosted Peter and John, he was looking for silver or gold.  What he received was the Word of God in Jesus Christ, and a healing to boot. 

It all took place outside the temple.  Out there, in the streets, where common folk live and work, give birth and die.  Not in the temple, the house of God, where God was understood to dwell.  No, out there among the beggars, the lame, the blind, the poor, the diseased.

Healing a beggar wasn't on Peter's agenda that day.  Even 'evangelism' wasn't on Peter's agenda.  It seems that the experience of encountering a lame man who was looking for .....something valuable....was all that it took for Peter to share what was the most valuable thing he had: the message of God in Jesus. 

And the man was healed.  Out there; in the streets; the name of Jesus was able to heal. 

Are we carrying the Good News of Jesus with us wherever we go?
Is it the most valuable thing we have to share with others?
Do we really expect God to work out there in the streets?

Some good questions for us to ponder I think.
Peace