Thoughts for the Day

The Healing of Aeneas

Now as Peter went here and there among all the believers, he came down also to the saints living in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, for he was paralysed. Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed!’ And immediately he got up. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

Peter in Lydda and Joppa

Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, ‘Please come to us without delay.’ So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Many people keep their 'woes' private, in their working years, perhaps fearing it might be held against them by their employer. Getting older these 'woes' can grow - the results of medical tests; the internal evidence that we are no longer as mentally sharp as we were; the loss of loved ones; or having to give up certain activities - all these can prey on our mind. We are getting better at communicating via social media, but our bonds within the Christian community should make this a natural place to share concerns and to ask for prayers whatever our age.

The first of two passages from Luke's 'Acts of the Apostles' shows us an example of Peter's authority, but also the way the Gospel is spreading to create new Christian communities. Peter is able to heal Aeneas not through his own strength but through the power of the Holy Spirit, and in the name of "Jesus Christ". This is no minor illness for Aeneas has been paralysed for eight years. The healing serves to act as a testimony to the Gospel message, and in doing so draws others to faith in Jesus, and so into a new Christian community in Lydda.

The second passage concerns a "disciple" called Tabitha (Dorcas) who has died. Such is the faith of the Christian community in Joppa they send for Peter mentioning her compassion and the service she has given to others during her lifetime. Their faith and Peter's fervent prayer brings about a miracle. The end result is that this too acts as a testimony to the Gospel message gathering more people into the Christian community.

God is able to work through His Church today in extraordinary ways to bring about His purposes and draw people to Himself. But we need to work on building up the faith of the community, trusting in one another, and in God, and deepening our prayer life.

Lord Jesus Christ,
we thank You for Your Apostle, Peter;
for the power of his prayer;
for the way he healed the sick;
and in doing so helped to spread the Gospel,
and create strong and faithful communities.
Amen.