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 paralysed. 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. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.
POINTS OF INTEREST
- v32-35: Peter was now visiting in Lydda (which was about a days journey from Jerusalem). Through Jesus’s name, Peter healed Aeneas: a man who was paralyzed for 8 years. Right away, the news of this miracle caused many who lived in Lydda and Sharon to become Christians.
- v36-37: Tabitha or Dorcas, was a disciple and was known for always doing good and helping the poor. In this verse we learn that she fell sick and died. Many widows mourned for her (v39) which shows that Tabitha was loved by many; and when Tabitha was alive, she liked to make clothes and robes, she was the type that liked to make things, do good and help others; she was a charitable disciple—always doing things for the Lord.
- v40: After Peter had sent out everyone from the room Peter got down on his knees and prayed. So far from what we know, Peter had never performed “big” miracles such as raising a person from death back to life. Previously it was Jesus who rose the son of the widow of Nain (Luke7:11-15); the daughter of Jairus (Luke 8:41,42, 49-55); and Lazarus, brother of Martha and Mary. But for Peter it was not known if this miracle could be achieved, hence why he sent everyone out of the room before he prayed and commanded Tabitha to get up.
- v41-42: after Tabitha was risen back to life, it was clear her body was weak as Peter helped by taking her hand and helping her get back on her feet. He then presented them to the believers and widows. This miracle was made known to many people all over Joppa, and as a result many believed, just like when Jesus rose the others back to life, the same positive result happened: many believed.
submitted by Ansy Wong
PRAYING IN FAITH
For Yourself
Pray that God will help you have faith when you doubt your own abilities of doing God’s work. Pray that God will increase your faith tremendously.
For your five
Ask God to grant a miracle for your five so that they too, will believe. Perhaps you can ask God to heal them? Or even to make them experience God’s grace.
For our church
Pray for the church to be more zealous and faithful in God, not lacking in faith that God can grant miracles: big or small.