David Bahn – Reflections

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Acts 9:32-43

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. ⁴³ And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.

When I was preparing to go to Kenya for a vision clinic mission trip, we learned from a former Muslim about his remarkable conversion. I have no way of verifying what he said, but only the extremely remarkable nature of the events leading up to his conversion. I don’t really recall exactly how it played into the story, but it involved someone being raised from the dead. Yes! Remarkable to say the least. I also recall his joy and infectious faith in Jesus, and a willingness to be part of whatever God would do to reach people with the Good News of Jesus. Miracles in his world were simply a part of the mission. It all seemed genuine and not self-aggrandizing.

Following Saul’s dramatic conversion, and his time in Jerusalem, Peter strikes out in a missionary journey of his own. He encounters Aeneas, and heals him. The result? “All the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.”

Then comes his encounter with Tabatha, the disciple in Jappa who was known for her charity and good works. Peter raises her from the dead. The result? “It became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.”

I notice specifically as Peter meets Aeneas, he makes it clear: “Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” Peter was not interested in his own fame. That becomes clear not only in the case of Aeneas and Peter’s manner of speech to him. It is also clear by the way he puts everyone out of the room before he raised Tabitha from the dead. It is proven, also, by the result of these miracles. People are brought to faith in Jesus. Peter may have done it, but Jesus got the glory. 

This is so different from my experience with TV healers and so-called televangelists. Their words may say, “Jesus,” but too often it seems the spotlight remains on them. I have little patience with those who seem to want more attention than Jesus. But, I think I should be concerned for anyone who gives into the temptation toward celebrity. Jesus resisted this temptation in the wilderness. He knew its grave danger. It is a temptation to replace God with the poorest imitation of all. Self-idolatry is a grave blasphemy.

Whether we crave attention, credit, or glory, we all struggle with this temptation of self-idolatry. Thank God for examples like Peter and for a Savior like Jesus. Give him the glory. For some of his most important work is that which he does in people’s hearts who awaken to this danger and seek again to bring him the glory that only he deserves.