When Jesus asked Peter if he loved him three times, he first asked him if he loved (agape) him. Finally, he asked Peter if he loved (phileo) him. Peter understood brotherly love, but apparently not unconditional agape. Not until after Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, ascension and Pentecost.
Peter and John were headed to the temple to pray. Very important business. But as they arrived, the 40-year old lame beggar solicited them. Crippled since birth, always at the temple, seeking alms. They could have just walked on, but the Spirit directed their attention to the man, just as Jesus had done many times. He wanted money, but the Lord had other plans. Peter looks at him and says; “Look at us…I have no silver or gold, but what I do have, I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3.4-6). They didn’t just leave him there, hopeless, confused and powerless, but Peter reached down, took him by the right hand and raised him up. The lame man walked, and God was glorified. Agape love demonstrated-unconditional, God breathed.
The story reminded me this week of the tragedy in Central Texas at Camp Mystic and beyond with the massive flooding and the loss of young, and old, lives, not counting homes, possessions and businesses. With many still missing. It has been impossible for anyone to grasp the level of suffering. But just like Peter and John, many of the people in Texas, around America and beyond, have stopped their normal daily living to show forth ‘agape love’.
People have traveled from far and wide to Kerr County to search for and save lives. Churches, friends, relatives, ministries, the government, and just concerned people have reached out with no expectations or conditions. In the Dallas area alone, the countless green and pink ribbons tied to trees or buildings showing their empathetic pain and support.
The story of the lame beggar being healed has been passed on for centuries. It shows just how loving our Lord is and how powerful. The story here in Texas will also be remembered by people sharing the miracles that God will do as a result of the aftermath of this tragedy. I for one don’t know how God will accomplish all this, but I know it will be to his glory. I want to close this with the scene in the temple after the beggar began to walk. “And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him” (vss. 8-10).
There was another tragic story where our Lord and Savior demonstrated his ‘agape love’ by shedding his own blood on the cross. Everyone was saddened and perplexed. Then, the Spirit of God raised him from the dead, he appeared, ascended and now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for those impacted by this tragedy. As well as everyone who is looking in to see what God is going to do. I pray that all will be filled with wonder and amazement. All glory to God! Meanwhile, we will continue to weep with those who are weeping.