Fields United Methodist Church

Pastor Tom’s Weekly Blog.                         “The Eternal Gift”                          Acts 3:1-10

June 23, 2020

“I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give to you.”

Acts 3:6

Shortly after the Day of Pentecost, Peter and John gave a gift to a man they did not know. The gift wasn’t neatly wrapped nor was it in a bag with a nice nametag; it was the gift of God’s grace. In the story, the man was healed and was able to walk and certainly that was a precious gift to be sure but the eternal gift was what made him give praise and glory to God.  Peter and John could have judged the man or labeled him as just another beggar, but they did not, they gave something far more valuable than even silver and gold; they offered what they received from Jesus, life eternal. For me grace is not just a line to use nor a prayer before a meal, it is the sharing of the amazing love of God to another with every statement, thought, word, and deed.  Grace has a way of changing the conversation, from vindictive to affirmative; from condemning to commending; from self-centered to self-less. The man Peter and John healed had an expectation of what he would receive or deserved to receive yet grace is about transcending human expectation to experience the love of God that cures the sin-sick soul, the release of the captives, and the opportunity to live a new life in the abundance of all that Jesus offers.  We all have been offered grace upon grace not only to celebrate Jesus in our own lives but most importantly offering the same opportunity to another child of God.  Grace is not about justifying our own ideas but rather seeking to understand and be in relationship with those we do not understand.  It is only by God’s grace that Peter had the faith to say, “I have no silver and gold, but what I have I give to you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” May we have the same boldness in faith and with grace witness eternal life to all people with joy.  One of my favorite prayers that offers me strength is the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi;

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.  Amen” We have been given a gift far more valuable than silver and gold; we have been given an opportunity to share that gift with joy to all people. The sharing of God’s grace is needed now more than ever in the history of the world; you have the gift that needs to be shared; may each of us be the “instrument” of God’s peace and grace to the world. Thank you Jesus for the privilege of sharing your healing grace to everyone.

Rev. Tom Joyce, pastor

Fields United Methodist Church