March 31, 2023 | Be On Mission
Peter's Ministry in Lydda and Joppa
Scripture: Acts 9:32-43 (NIV)
32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”
39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.
Devotional
When Jesus was preparing His disciples to lead the Christian movement in His absence, He said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:12-13).
Now, the disciples were fulfilling what Jesus had promised. In Acts 3 Peter & John healed a crippled man. In Acts 5 the apostles performed numerous miraculous signs, wonders and healings. And here in Acts 9 Peter heals a paralyzed man and raises to life a dead woman.
The healings were astounding and impacted numerous people in the communities. After the healing of the crippled man, many people “were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him” (Acts 3:10). During the time in Acts 5 when the apostles were doing miraculous works, verse 14 says, “more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.” And in today’s reading when Peter raised Tabitha from the dead, Acts 9:42 states, “This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.”
Using spiritual gifts is never meant to draw attention to oneself. Rather, it is always designed to bring people to faith and give glory to God. While there is a danger in people exercising spiritual gifts for self-glory, there is a greater loss in not exercising those gifts at all. The Lord gave the apostles both an expectation and the resources for healing, miracles, signs and wonders. When they faithfully lived into this calling, the world was changed. People pay attention to incredible acts of ministry!
What are your spiritual gifts? How is God calling you to use them to bless others? Spend time in prayer seeking God’s direction as you minister to others for His glory.
Prayer
Father, Thank You for faithful saints who spread Your Good News. Jesus said, through faith, I can do even greater things than He did. In today’s scripture, Peter opens himself to be Your vessel of healing. He tells Aeneas, “Jesus Christ heals you.” He prays over Tabitha, who was dead for some time, and tells her to get up. Peter doesn’t claim glory; You are the Source of healing. Interestingly, Aeneas is told to take care of his mat and Tabitha returns to making clothing and helping the poor. Daily life goes on, but because of them, Your story spreads. Nothing remains the same once You touch a life. How can my daily life spread Your Glory and Good News? I open myself to be Your instrument, in Jesus’ precious Name. Amen.
Poem
Regional Prayers
We, the ones who are on our knees
For our brother, Aeneas,
Called “Praiseworthy” at birth
Lift him to You
To Your throne room
For eight years
He has not left the prison of
His bed
Jesus Christ
We call upon Your name
Heal him
Raise him
That the people of
Lydda and Sharon
May turn to You
The LORD
We, the ones who are on our knees
For our sister, Tabitha,
Called “Gracious” at birth
Lift her to You
To Your throne room
Her good works and charity
Are calling as she lies
Ill and dead
Jesus Christ
We call upon Your name
Heal her
Raise her
That the people of
Joppa
May believe in You
The LORD
