The story of the book of Acts continued about the ministry of Peter while Saul was in Tarsus. Peter went to Lydda, and while he was there, a certain man named Aeneas had been paralyzed for eight years. Peter went to him and said, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ healed you; arise and roll up your mat." And immediately, Aeneas was healed. People in Lydda and nearby Sharon heard about what happened, and many people believed in Jesus. People in Joppa heard that Peter was in Lydda, and the people sent for him to come to Joppa because there was a certain woman named Tabitha who got sick and died. Tabitha was well known in Joppa because of her kindness and generosity. She was a successful businesswoman and gave garments to the widows while she was still alive. When Peter arrived, he went where they laid her body and asked everyone to leave the room. Peter knelt down, prayed, and said to Tabitha, "Tabitha, get up." Suddenly her eyes opened, and she sat up. The miracle became known in Joppa, and Peter stayed in Joppa for many days and stayed at Simon, the tanner. (Acts 9:32-43).
Aeneas was healed from being paralyzed for eight years, and Tabitha went back to life. Both miracles showed the miraculous power of God working through Peter. It is important to note that miracles happened through Peter because of God's will and not Peter's will. Many people, including churches and pastors, believe Peter has a special power and can perform miracles as he chooses to. However, this is not consistent with the teaching of the Bible. Peter always performs miracles on behalf of the power and will of God. Without the power and will of God, Peter cannot perform any miracle because he does not have a special power within him. God used the miracles that He did through Peter to draw the people to our Lord Jesus and to believe in Him for salvation. The miracles were not about Peter but about God.
The same God that worked through Peter is the same God that works in us today. God can perform miracles through all of us if He chooses to. We can pray for people who are sick and ask God to heal them. All miracles belong to God, and healing always depends on His will, which is why some get healed, and some are not. For us believers, death means God wants us to be with Him forever. However, healing in this world is only temporary because our current body cannot live forever. God will eventually replace our body with a heavenly body that will never die, but to do that, our current body has to die.
Ask yourself these questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully and meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speaks to you). Do I believe that God can perform miracles through me? Can I pray for healing for those who are sick? What happens to my current body when I die?
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you that my life is in your hand and that you will take care of me no matter what happens to my body. Thank you for the wonderful hope that I have in you. I pray that I will always be willing to serve you and pray for those who are sick and in need of miracles in their lives. Please use me today to bring glory and honor to your name. In your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.