Daily Devotion, March 22, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 9:32-42.

Peter was well acquainted with the healing power of Jesus. The gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all record Jesus’ healing of Peter’s mother-in-law. Peter also knew of Jesus’ ability to give new life through forgiving Peter for his denial prior to Jesus’ crucifixion. And in John 14:12-13 Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

In these verses, Peter does exactly that. In the name of Jesus, both Aeneas and Tabitha (or translated, Dorcas) were healed! They were given new life! For Aeneas, he is told by Peter to “Get up and take care of your mat.” And Tabitha is simply told to “get up,” which some commentaries tell us these words recall the resurrection of Jesus in Acts 1:3.

 

The question we can ask ourselves is, “In what ways might you and I be called by God to offer healing and new life to others?” We can pray for others. We can offer words of encouragement and hope. We may have a role in the world of healthcare including all the areas of physical, mental, social and emotional healing. We may be caregivers for others. With each of us, in all of these roles, Jesus is with us offering spiritual healing as well!

It’s interesting that people like these two - Aeneas, who had suffered for eight years, and Tabitha, a widow - were often the last ones who would have access to healing. But Peter, from following in Jesus’ footsteps, had learned to seek out and care for the least, the last and the lost.

Personal Worship Option:

In what ways might you and I be called by God to offer healing and new life to others? Also, give God thanks today for individuals who are a part of your healing team.