22.235 | From Sadness to Joy | Acts 9:32-43| God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Acts 9:32-43 ESV

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.[d] 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.

FROM SADNESS TO JOY

We found commonalities in the result of both miracles. When all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him [Aeneas], they turned to the Lord. And when Tabitha’s rising from death became known in Joppa, many believed in the Lord. In other words, these miracles are an authentication to the gospel message, that Jesus is true and alive. e alone with Tabitha in the upper room. Why? Perhaps he did not want to show off. Kneeling down and turning to the pronounced, “Tabitha, arise.” Instantaneously, she became alive again...

So, Peter started to travel outside Jerusalem into the coastal towns, particularly Lydda and Joppa. Peter is continuing the work he had done in Jerusalem in spreading the news about Jesus and performing miracles to authenticate his God-given message.

Peter had seen Jesus firsthand healed the paralyzed. (Mat 8:5–13; Luke 5:17–26; John 5:2–9). And, he had performed many miracles in Jesus' name since His ascension (Acts 5:12–16). Here, we saw God used him to heal Aeneas of Lydda and Tabitha in Joppa, respectively.

At Lydda, Peter found Aeneas who was bedridden for 8 years. In the case of his healing, Peter’s faith alone is evident. Aeneas was not even asked or told to believe. Peter just declared unto him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.”

On the other hand, at Joppa, a disciple Tabitha [Dorcas], full of good works and acts of charity, got sick and died. Peter was summoned but when he arrived, Tabitha’s body was already placed in the upper room. The widows, who Tabitha gave tunics while she was alive, were grieving. They led Peter to Tabitha’s room. And Peter asked to be alone with Tabitha in the upper room. Why? Perhaps he did not want to show off. Kneeling down and turning to the pronounced, “Tabitha, arise.” Instantaneously, she became alive again.

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