Peter Heals The Crippled Beggar

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In Acts 3: 1-10, Peter performed his first miracle. This happened after the Holy Spirit came down during the Pentecost. Peter met a crippled beggar since birth when he and John were about to enter the temple. The cripple asked for money. Peter replied that he had no money to give. Instead he offered Jesus of Nazareth and commanded the cripple to walk. The cripple rose up and walked.

Before the miracle, Peter made his first announcement to the crowd about Jesus. He told them Jesus was the Son of God. He reminded them that they went along with the powers-that-be to crucify Jesus. Finally, he boldly gave his eyewitness account to the crowd that Jesus had risen from the dead. He was a different Peter. 

In Luke 22: 54 -61, we are remined that when the temple guards arrested Jesus and they brought him to the house of  the high priest. Peter followed them, perhaps, to know what would happen to Jesus. People milled around the courtyard who were following the event. Peter sat among them. 

Some people recognized Peter and they asserted that he was a member of Jesus' group. Peter vehemently denied their accusations. They accused him three times and he denied the accusations three times. Thereafter, the three crows of the rooster at daybreak reminded him that he had disowned Jesus.  Peter went out the courtyard and wept bitterly. 

When Jesus started his ministry, he already had his eyes on Peter to lead his flock. Their first encounter can be accounted in Luke 5: 1-11. Jesus was preaching in the sea of Galilee before a crowd. He saw two boats from afar. Jesus jumped into one of the boats where Peter was. 

The fishermen had no luck fishing the night before. Jesus instructed them to throw the net again. They caught a lot of fish. When Peter saw this, he fell on his knees and told Jesus to stay away from him because he is a sinner. Jesus told them not be afraid and said to Peter, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men."

Peter had a special role in Jesus' mission. He had a special place in Jesus' heart. He was one of the first disciples whom Jesus recruited. Peter was part of Jesus' inner circle and privy to some exclusive events. Peter relates openly and speaks out his mind when he talks to Jesus. Because of Peter's closeness to Jesus, he was practically Jesus' second-in-command. For sure they had developed a strong bond. 

That night, however, at the courtyard where he disowned Jesus, Peter knew he had lost his master and friend because of his betrayal. For human relationships, such acts destroys friendships. However, it is not the case with Jesus. 

In John 21: 15-17, when Jesus rose from the dead, he gave Peter a second chance at the Sea of Galilee after they caught a huge number of fish. Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?" three times. Peter answered affirmatively after each question. Jesus added after after the questions to Peter, "Feed and take care of my lambs." In that scene, Jesus forgave Peter.

Fast forward to the Book of Acts, Peter's first miracle in Jesus' name showed the fruit of Peter's second chance in life. Jesus not only gave Peter another chance but he gave him a booster that allowed him to perform miracles - the Holy Spirit.

Peter's story in the bible is a story about redemption and second-chances. Jesus offers all of us second chances especially if we have been living in sin and focusing on our idols. It is an opportunity that we should take. If we accept that offer, Jesus will help us further through the Holy Spirit to teach us how we can move forward to our ultimate redemption.

Relating to Peter's lost friendship with Jesus and to second chances, all of us have lost something from this pandemic. We have lost our sense of security knowing that the virus is a continuous threat despite some signs of it being managed. Some have lost family and friends to the virus. 

So many have lost their jobs because of the economic impact of the pandemic. We have lost that frequent human interaction with our relatives, friends, classmates, co-workers because of the pandemic.

Let us continue asking Jesus, as our friend, to put an end to the pandemic and allow us to regain what we have lost. But despite the pandemic, let us consider everyday as our second chance in life and be grateful to the daily miracles and blessings we receive from our friend Jesus Christ.


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