Check out all the previous Acts readings here.
Acts Reading Plan | Week 8 | Day 3
Prayer
As we have been practicing in our daily readings, take a moment to pause, silently. Take a deep breath in and then slowly release. Do this three times. This helps you slow your mind and allow yourself to be more fully present.
In Isaiah 25:9, it says, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” Thank God that no matter the circumstances you are facing today, you can trust in him.
Bible Reading: Acts 9:32-43
Read these verses three times slowly.
As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda.There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 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!”
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.
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.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. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.
Reflection & Questions
In our reading today, Luke takes us back to Peter and what’s going on with him. And it’s pretty incredible. He’s performing miracles like healing the paralyzed and raising the dead! These stories read like the ones in the gospels, but instead of Jesus doing them, it’s Peter. But, did you notice what Peter tells Aeneas? “Jesus Christ heals you.” Peter doesn’t say, “I heal you.” Jesus is very much alive and continuing to do His work – the amazing thing is that He is now doing His work through Peter and all His followers.
Peter has gone through a massive transformation in his life. From fisherman, to disciple, to denier of Jesus, to an apostle who raises the dead. And the Author of that transformation is Jesus. That is why Peter’s faith and confidence is so deeply found in Jesus and as he encounters the suffering, he quickly points them to Him. He is the answer they need.
Like Peter, we can find our confidence in the Author of our story, and when we encounter others around us who are struggling, we can confidently point them to the healer Himself, Jesus. He doesn’t always heal like we would want, but He is the best person in the universe to put our confidence in, because He writes the best stories with our lives.
- Peter went through quite a transformation that Jesus authored. What are the stages of your transformation that Jesus has taken you through?
- Are you looking to Jesus to be your savior and healer in the circumstances of your life? Why or why not?
Prayer
Talk to God in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
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Questions?
Ed Applegate
