By: Dale Weckbacher
Text: Acts
9:32-43
Matthew 9:37-38
Then he said to his
disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray
earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his
harvest.”
(ESV)
On my way to work this morning, the
discussion on the radio was about people already putting up the Christmas
lights and trees early. During a typical
year, many would view this as a breaking of the tradition of putting up
Christmas ornaments after Thanksgiving but 2020 is not a typical year with many
possibly putting up Christmas ornaments in an attempt to bring some joy and
hope into their lives. While these
Christmas ornaments may bring hope and joy, it is only temporary for the
lasting hope and joy Christmas brings is not in the decorations but a
relationship with Jesus Christ, the one born on Christmas.
The pandemic during the time of
Peter was the Roman occupiers of Israel and arrogant and prideful religious
leaders. During the events of Acts
9:32-43, the church is experiencing a period of peace and multiplying (Acts
9:31). Perhaps taking advantage of
this respite of peace, Peter freely spends time with believers and comes to the
saints in Lydda (Acts
9:32). During his time in Lydda,
Peter observes Aeneas who has been bedridden for eight years because he was
paralyzed, and tells him that Jesus Christ has healed him and to rise and make
his bed at which time Aeneas rises from his bed (Acts
9:33-34). Upon seeing Aeneas healed
from his paralysis, the residents of Lydda and Sharon turned to the Lord.
In Joppa, a disciple named Tabitha,
who was full of good works and acts of charity has died (Acts
9:36-37). Hearing that Peter was in
nearby Lydda, the disciples in Lydda go to Joppa and ask Peter to come with
them immediately (Acts
9:38). Perhaps they had heard of the
miracle of Aeneas’ healing and believed Peter could pray for Tabitha to rise
from the dead. Peter obediently goes
with the men to Joppa, prays for Tabitha, and she miraculously rises from the
dead causing more people to believe in the Lord (Acts
9:39-42). Peter then stays in Joppa
with Simon a tanner (Acts
9:43).
Acts
9:32-43 demonstrates that the power of the Holy Spirit present in believers
like Peter, has the power to continue the ministry of Jesus through the hands
of believers in fulfillment of Mark
16:17-18. The same Spirit that dwelt
in Peter and the disciples of the early Church is present in each believer,
empowering them to spread the good news of the Gospel to a world in Chaos (Acts
1:8). However, even the power of the
Holy Spirit is useless unless believers use it to minister. Unfortunately, many Churches today are
cowering in fear not wanting to offend anyone who may become a member or
contributor to the Church.
The miracles of the healing of
Aeneas in Lydda and the resurrection of Tabitha from the dead in Joppa illustrate
what believers should do as they go about their daily lives. As Peter was going among the saints in Lydda
he,
1) Was
observant (Acts
9:32-33) – As Peter comes to Lydda to be with the disciples there, he
observes Aeneas who is paralyzed. Peter
could have walked by the man to continue with the disciples but instead stops
to minister to Aeneas. The result is a
miracle of healing with many turning to the Lord. In these chaotic times, there is no shortage
of ministry opportunities. Our workplace
and communities are full of fearful people without our hope in Christ. Many have physical problems making them more susceptible
to Covid19. Single moms must now learn
how to balance work and their children stuck at home due to the closing of
schools. Many remain out of work due to
businesses remaining shut down due to the pandemic. Many also live in cities with rioting, making
it dangerous to go outside their homes. The
greatest opportunity for ministry, however, is sharing the hope we as believers
enjoy through our personal relationship with Jesus Christ so they too can have
this hope.
2) Was
obedient (Acts
9:38) – When the disciples from Joppa came to Peter, asking him to come and
pray for Tabitha, he did not hesitate. During
chaotic times, desperate people may turn to us for prayer when they know we are
believers, but we have all been guilty of telling someone we will pray for them
only to forget. Peter did not hesitate
to go pray for Tabitha and when he arrived went to the upper room and after
having everyone removed from the room, prayed for Tabitha, resulting in a
miracle of resurrection from the dead and many believing in the Lord.
Believers in Christ must be
observant and obedient in ministering and living for Christ. I recommend making a list of the people we
regularly come into contact at our jobs, business, at school, at the stores and
restaurants in which we shop, and at our Churches. Be observant to hear or see needs in their
lives for which we can pray. Let them know of your faith in Christ whenever
possible and above all, we must live a life pleasing to God. If one of these individuals approaches us for
prayer, we must not hesitate to pray for them, and if possible, pray for them immediately.
Knowing that there may be people
reading this post who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus as their
savior, I invite anyone that does not know Jesus as their personal savior to
pray with me now,
Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans
3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans
6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my
sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1
John 1:9). I believe you died, spent
three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord
of my life.
A world in chaos without Christ
needs revival or a return to God. This
revival begins in the hearts of believers as we repent of sin in our lives,
knowing that when we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our
sins (1
John 1:9). Revival spreads as God’s
people are observant of opportunities to pray and minister and obediently
respond when an opportunity to minister presents itself. May God bless everyone reading this
post.
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