TODAY IS…

an ideal day to recognize the true value of what Jesus offers us.

“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.”  Acts 3:6 NIV

Imagine yourself begging beside the gate to the Temple in Jerusalem.

People carried you there, as they did every day, in order that you could seek the charity of others to survive. Unable to walk since birth, you were dependent upon others for the means with which to live. There were no government programs to fall back on. There was only the good will of those going into that Temple.

Two men appear that you have never seen before and you ask them for money. One of them tells you he has no money to give you, but he has something better: A gift from Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

And suddenly, you can walk!

Undoubtedly, the use of his legs was a truly remarkable gift for the man who had never known what it was like to use them. Giving him that ability was done to garner people’s attention, which it obviously did, for, “While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the so-called portico of Solomon, full of amazement.” (Acts 3:11 NASB).

Now that he had their attention, Peter proceeded to tell those gathered that the power to do what they did was not his, but came from Jesus of Nazareth, who was the long-awaited Messiah. He then told them of the greater gift of salvation and restoration that would be theirs if they accepted Jesus as their savior.

Peter and John went to jail for teaching others the value of what Jesus offers us all. The Sadducees were upset with what they were preaching. Unfortunately for them, sending two men to jail could not change what had been witnessed by many, nor could it suppress the message that had been heard.

“But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about 5,000.” (Acts 4:4 NIV).

The value of what Jesus offers us is beyond calculation in mere monetary terms. The restoration of our souls and the promise of everlasting peace and joy have no price. It cannot be bought nor can it be sold. It is given to us freely if we will only accept it and we can give it to others by sharing the Good News with them and leading them to their own realization and acceptance of this incredible gift.

The ability to walk was a wonderful gift for the beggar who asked for gold or silver. The greater gift, for all of us, is the offer to walk in the Light of the Lord for eternity.

And that is priceless.

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Taken from “TODAY IS….A Gift From God”, (C) 2013 Tony Casson