simple healing

Good morning friends,
This morning brings us two amazing healing stories from the early church. Peter cures a paralyzed man and raises a woman from the dead through prayer. I love the simplicity of both of these miracles: Peter says to Aeneas: "Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed!" and "Tabitha, get up." I love the faith and boldness in such a straightforward miracle. While this is certainly surprising in itself, we may remember that Jesus told the disciples (in John's Gospel) that when the Holy Spirit came they would do even greater works than Jesus had done.

God still has exciting plans for us through the Holy Spirit. Most of the healing we will do is healing relationships and hopelessness. Miraculous physical healing is pretty rare these days, but the healing that does happen in communities of faith is important and in its own way miraculous too. So keep praying and keep loving because God is with us.

Blessings,
Sam


Acts 9:32-43

32Now as Peter went here and there among all the believers, he came down also to the saints living in Lydda. 33There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, for he was paralyzed. 34Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed!” And immediately he got up. 35And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

36Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. 37At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. 38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” 39So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them.

40Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. 42This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.