As is often the case in the Old Testament accounts of deeds are written in threes. God tells so-and-so how to do something; so-and-so tells the people how God wants this thing done; and the people do the thing in the way so-and-so told them god wanted them to do it.

Thus, in Exodus 37 and 38 we have arrived at the making of the tent of meeting and the items that fill it. At the end of Exodus 38 there is the “annual report” for the project: how much was spent on the making of the items. Also included is an accounting of the income received from the per capita tax on those who were counted in the census: 603,550 men aged 20 and higher. When there are this many people the tax per person is relatively low, a half-shekel, a piece of silver, which is a measure of weight equivalent to a nickel.

Acts 3 opens with Peter and John going to the temple to pray. A lame man, sitting at the entrance of the temple, sees them and asks for alms (a charitable contribution). Peter says that they do not have any money but in the name of Jesus he tells him to stand and walk. Immediately the man stands up and enters the temple with Peter and John. The people recognize the man and wonder what has happened. Peter takes advantage of the situation and tells the people about Jesus.

The lame man was not allowed into the temple, even into the Court of the Gentiles because of his condition. Conditions like these were considered a result of sin. Therefore, when Peter healed him in Jesus name, he took his sins away and made him clean enough to enter the temple. As Peter is sharing with them, he tells them that t is through Jesus that the man was made healthy. He encourages them to believe so that their sins may be wiped out also.

We no longer attribute this kind of physical ailment to sin, but that doesn’t mean that we are not sickened by our sin. We deal with guilt, bitterness, hatred, etc., because we harbor sinful thoughts and behaviors. It is only through Jesus Christ that we can be freed from the bondage to sin. It is only when we are free that we can truly worship God with enthusiasm.