Nameless

We don’t even know his name. We know the name of the gate at which he sat. It was called Beautiful. But the man? Well, he remains nameless. We know that he was lame from birth and that he was carried to the gate daily to ask for alms. He was alive during the time that Jesus walked the earth and yet he didn’t encounter Him. He remained lame.

When Peter and John walked to the Gate Beautiful at the opening of Acts 3, that nameless man looked at them. He was expecting something. A coin. A coat. A piece of bread. But when Peter reached out his hand toward the man, it was empty. However, Peter’s words were full of faith. “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have…” What Peter had to share had no monetary value. Yet a miracle was about to take place.

Did the nameless man hesitate when Peter took his hand?  The Bible doesn’t say.  But if he had, could you blame him?  He had been lame from birth and Peter was telling him to get up and walk! Peter didn’t hesitate. He declared the miracle and pulled the man to his feet. And the man walked into a new life.

I don’t know why the Bible doesn’t mention the man’s name. I think maybe it’s possible Jesus was trying to tell us something: He cares about us, even if we feel nameless.

Sometimes it’s easy to feel nameless when troubles come. We wonder if anyone really cares. We wonder if God even remembers our name. And in low moments, it’s easy to become resigned to the fact that these troubles are permanent. Even when Jesus is near.

The nameless man had been lame from birth. Healing? He expected nothing more than a handout. What is your dilemma? Loneliness? Depression? Fear? Worry? Divorce? Bankruptcy? Does it have you feeling nameless? Raise your expectations. Today could be the day you miraculously walk into a new life. Jesus knows where you're at, and He knows your name. 

by Brandi Burton