Written by Chellakkan Blesson
The Word
32 Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. 36 Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
-Acts 9:32-41
Reflection
Peter was an ordinary man, just like us. He betrayed Jesus, repented, and God restored him. The Lord then used him mightily despite his failures and shortcomings. In Acts 9:32 onward, it shows us what God can do through a surrendered life and points us to a miracle far greater than any physical healing.
Before we come to Acts 9, remember how Peter’s ministry began. As Peter and John were walking toward the temple, they encountered a man who had been lame from birth. He looked at them, expecting to receive a few coins, but they had no money to give him. What they had was something far greater: the name of Jesus. Peter gave the lame man what he had: “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And the man was healed. This was the first recorded miracle God performed through Peter, with John at his side. God’s blessing did not come in the form of wealth or material prosperity; it came through the power and authority of the name of Jesus.
The Big Miracle:
Peter and other disciples were persecuted, threatened, beaten, intimidated, and driven from places where they preached. The believers were scattered because of persecution, but persecution did not stop the work of God. It instead caused the gospel to spread even more. Peter traveled throughout the countryside and eventually came to Lydda where he found a man named Aeneas who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. Peter said to him: “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately, Aeneas got up. That was a big miracle. But the story was not over.
The Bigger Miracle:
In Joppa, there was a disciple named Dorcas, also called Tabitha. She was known for her good works and acts of kindness toward others, but she became sick and died. Her body was washed and placed in an upper room for final viewing. The believers, hearing that Peter was nearby, sent for him. When Peter arrived, he went upstairs, knelt and prayed. Then, by the power of God, Dorcas opened her eyes. She sat up and Peter presented her alive to the believers.
The Biggest Miracle of All:
Aeneas had been healed and Dorcas had been raised from the dead. Surely nothing could be greater than that. But something even greater happened that day. Aeneas was healed, but one day he would die again. Dorcas was raised from the dead, but she too would eventually die again. Their healing and restoration to life were extraordinary demonstrations of God’s power, but they were temporary. So, what was the greatest miracle that happened in Joppa? Acts 9:42 gives us the answer: “And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.” Many people heard what God had done, and they believed in the Lord. That is the biggest miracle of all.
People who were spiritually dead, and headed toward eternal destruction, were found by the grace of God. They believed, they were born again, and their lives were changed for eternity. Physical healing is wonderful. Deliverance from suffering is great. Even the raising of someone from the dead is an extraordinary display of God’s power. But salvation is greater because it has eternal consequences. God was fulfilling His promise to save people, and Peter became part of His plan to proclaim that salvation and extend His kingdom.
Application
Sometimes we miss the greatest miracles because we are looking for something else. We look for financial prosperity. We look for physical healing. We look for extraordinary signs and wonders. These can certainly be gifts and demonstrations of God’s power, but the greatest miracle is the miracle of salvation. The miracle of a sinner being forgiven, redeemed, and born again.
And notice whom God chose to use. He used Peter, a broken man who had denied his Lord. Peter had failed and Peter had fallen. Yet God restored him and used him mightily. If God could use Peter, He can use us. The same God who chose Peter despite his failures has chosen to work through us, not because we are perfect or worthy in ourselves, but because of His grace. We are broken vessels, yet God delights in displaying His power through ordinary people who are willing to surrender themselves to Him. So let us not measure God’s work only by what we can see with our physical eyes. Let us celebrate the greatest miracle of all: a life transformed by the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for all the miracles You perform in our lives. Sometimes I focus on the visible miracles, the healing, the provision, the deliverance, and the restoration, and I overlook the greatest miracle of all. Thank You for the miracle of salvation, purchased for me at the ultimate price: the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Lord, use me just as You used Peter. Give me courage to proclaim Your name, faith to trust Your power, and humility to remember that the work belongs to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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