Many years ago while attending the South Texas Bible conference in San Antonio, my wife asked for me to do a favor: prayer for a miracle healing from carpel tunnel. It was Friday evening and I knew that Pastor Wayman Mitchell had prayed for countless of people—including myself—who received miracles from Jesus. After he finished praying in the prayer room with about ten to fifteen minutes before the evening service was to begin, we approached him to ask him to pray for my wife. He asked her a couple of questions and then we prayed. She was instantly healed. Last year I shared this story with Pastor Greg Mitchell (Pastor Wayman's son) with how his father was a blessing but also how he was so approachable. With the many things he had going on as well as to meet up with Pastor Rubi prior to assuming the platform before service, he made the time available that no matter what else was going on to meet an important need. To God be given the glory.
Many, many years ago two men were on their way to a prayer meeting. Since a children’s song was done concerning this moment, I will use the song’s lyrics as the words to describe this event that is recorded in Acts 3. Peter and John went to pray. They met a lame man on the way. He asked for alms and held out his palms and this is what Peter did say. Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. He went walking and leaping and praising God. Walking and leaping and praising God. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. Not mentioned in the song but found in Acts 3:4, a very important statement is said by Peter, “And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, ‘Look at us.’” Verse five says, “So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.” I do not believe that Peter called attention to himself as if Peter was someone special or a celebrity pastor wanting a photo op. Nor do I believe that Peter was drawing any attention toward this event that would take place by saying, “Look at us” as if to draw attention to themselves or even to this man.
Peter and John were on their way to a prayer meeting. And whether a prayer meeting, church event, or a church service (or even a conference service), a singular event was about to happen and where prayer is important, this specific moment in time was more important. I do not dismiss the importance for prayer and Bible reading; I do not dismiss the need to pray before an event (to prepare an atmosphere for God to do His work). Unfortunately there are many a Christian who busy themselves with other things—afternoon naps, eating out, checking messages or news/sports updates on their smart device, gossiping, or even doing church activities—that prayer is neglected or minimized. Conversations, our phone, doing church things seem to occupy our time and because it may not be sin, then it is okay that time with God can be shortened to make accommodation for late attendance or for other things.
All this being said, we can occupy our time with structured church things—church services, prayer meetings, even an outreach—that we can miss an opportunity to do something for God that God truly moves in a miracle. We want or are so busy with ministry that we neglect to Minister. Oswald J Smith said, “Oh my friends, we are loaded with countless church activities, while the real work of the church, that of evangelizing and winning the lost is almost entirely neglected.” Peter said to John (and Peter also talking to himself), “Look at us”. A private notation. A private event. No flyers, no music, no calling of people to watch, no jotting down the details for their church’s website or social media. For a few years while seeing and walking with Jesus, Jesus was “interrupted” numerous times by those who had needs—the leprous man, the woman who had the issue of blood, the blind man crying out on the side of the road in Jericho, etc.—and these men commissioned by Jesus saw a need. Although viewed as meeting physical/material needs, James 2:15-16 says, “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” I do not negate this truth that James addressed and it is extremely valid, but for the sake of what I am saying, please allow me the indulgence to adjust what he said to say this. “If you see someone in need—saint or sinner—who is uncovered by the truth and is hungry for Jesus (even if a material or surface need is presented), don’t tell the person, ‘I’ll pray for you’ and then go about your busy life or even your church business.” We see the religious behave this way concerning the story of the Good Samaritan. But we see it in this event with Peter, John, and the lame man. Jesus was always able to deal/address the real need that is deeper or past the surface need of food or whatever because if Jesus can heal the person inside or the deeper and direct issue, the surface needs may automatically resolve themselves. Giving money to the lame man would only help the man for the day. A saying goes, give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime. Peter and John knew this man needed—like the ones whom Jesus stopped to minister to—a miracle so he could benefit society better. He could work and actually spend time (being involved) with his family and even more importantly testify to others of the goodness of God for a miracle. Like I have often said, Jesus never saved us for us but for others to be saved through us. And here we are 2000 years later still sharing this event.
And so whether a broken man at a barber shop, a man on the corner, a woman in a café working, an elderly man struggling to carry groceries to his upstairs apartment, a single mom needing “Jesus” (us being there for her), a broken-hearted vet or police officer, whoever it may be, can we be interrupted to spend time with someone to which eternal change can happen. The miracle of salvation and/or healing may take place. And while the other person may had been lame and burdened in their heart and need for salvation, miracle healing, someone to care, will we stop ministering to take time—like the late Pastor Wayman Mitchell did that Friday evening many years ago—so someone may experience their Jesus moment to testify, “Come, meet a Man (Jesus)…” Can we be interrupted?