Our family has moved a lot of furniture lately! While some furniture just slides into place, others pose a kind of challenge akin to multi-dimensional Tetris. While trying to maneuver an unwieldy sofa up a tight stairwell, there’s an important skill everyone needs to develop to get the couch to its destination — the pivot! Just because we start in one direction, it doesn’t mean we continue going that way.
When we turn our attention to lost people around us, it’s important to develop the same skill. While our ultimate goal is pointing people to Jesus, we often start in a very different place. Let’s look at Peter’s example from Acts 3 to illustrate.
Look at Us
“And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and 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).
Cutting through the noise of the passing crowds, Peter wanted this disabled beggar’s full attention — “look at us“. He didn’t give him a hand out, but a hand up, taking his hand and healing him from his condition.
When we reach out to the world and offer spiritual healing, it’s essential to cut through the noise too. Don’t be afraid to focus people’s attention on your message and the example of your life of faithfulness. Don’t forget that the story of Christ’s power to change you holds incredible weight, like it did for the Samaritan woman (John 4:29) or the blind man (John 9:25).
But now, Peter performs the Pivot!
The Big Idea: Our story and example help us connect with people so we can connect them to Jesus our Savior.
Why Do You Look at Us?
“… Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?” (Acts 3:12).
The people “were filled with wonder and amazement” (Acts 3:10). But Peter asks them an important question, “Why do you stare at us?” With humility, they acknowledge that the miraculous healing wasn’t based on their power.
While we try to capture people’s attention with the gospel, the power to save isn’t ours! Let’s be extremely careful not to become the focus. Like Paul urged when those in Lystra worshiped them as ‘gods’, “… We also are men, of like nature with you …” (Acts 14:15).
Look at Jesus
“And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all” (Acts 3:16).
So Peter redirects the people’s focus to Jesus — the real source of this man’s healing. Without faith in Christ, man can accomplish nothing.
And don’t forget to acknowledge Jesus in your work today. It’s not about you, but all about him! As the Hebrew writer reminded his audience, “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).
So, may God help us impact the world with his word, bringing humanity’s focus on him in all our words and deeds!