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Acts 9:32-43 (NIV)
Aeneas and Dorcas
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.
What is the purpose of these signs and wonders?
The purpose of the signs and miracles was to show people the power of Christ, to bring them to salvation, and to spread Christianity. These miracles showed victory over sickness and death. The apostles were humble when they performed the miracles not trying to draw attention to themselves, by saying to Aeneas “Jesus Christ has healed you.” When Dorcas was raised from the dead, Peter knelt and prayed, waiting on the filling of God’s power.
Father how I want to be able to access your power so that you can use me to spread your good news. You call us to be your servants, humbly seeking those who are lost and hurting. I need your strength to be an example of your love in this hurting world. Help me to be an encouragement to my fellow servants in your service. Lord fill my heart with joy so it causes others to see You at work in my life. Keep me humble, may your Holy Spirit remind me I can do nothing without your power flowing through me. Thank you for giving me victory over death when this life is done. Amen
(today’s prayer submitted by Jo Schneider)