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June 1 | Acts 9:32-42


DAILY READING


REFLECTION

 

The Work of Jesus Continues

By Dave Mann


Jesus told his apostles that they and other believers would do greater works (miracles) than what he himself had done.  See John 14:12 -- 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.


Specifically, Jesus healed the paralyzed and raised the dead.

  • In Luke 5:17-26, Jesus heals the paralyzed man lowered through the roof.

  • In John 11, we read about the raising of Lazarus.

  • In Luke 7:11-17, Jesus raises the son of the widow of Nain.

 

What are the results of these miracles?  Three distinct things.

1.      Compassion – Those who are suffering are relieved of their troubles.

2.      Evangelism – Many people come to believe in Jesus and follow him.

3.      Persecution – Jesus’ opponents are irritated and want to get rid of him.

 

Soon after Pentecost, the apostles were doing these great miracles.

  • Peter and John heal the paralyzed man in the temple courts.  Acts 3:1-10

  • Peter heals the paralyzed man named Aeneas in the village of Lydda, near the Mediterranean Sea.  Acts 9:32-35

  • Peter raises Dorcas (a.k.a. Tabitha) from the dead. Acts 9:36-43

 

What were the results of these great miracles?  The same as they were for Jesus.

1.      Compassion – Those who are suffering are relieved of their troubles.

2.      Evangelism – Many people come to believe in Jesus and follow him. 

Acts 9:35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

Acts 9:42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.

3.      Persecution –

In Acts 4, we read how the religious leaders threatened Peter and John and forbade them from preaching and healing in the name of Jesus!

In Acts 16, we read how Paul and Silas were thrown in prison for having cast out an unclean spirit from the young woman who told fortunes.

 

The work that Jesus did on earth is intended to continue through the work of prayer, proclamation of the Word, and faith in the name of Jesus.  Whenever, we join in the work of the Kingdom of God, we will likely encounter all three of these results:  showing compassion toward those who suffer, inviting others to believe in Jesus and follow him, and also joining Jesus in the experience of suffering persecution for the name of the Lord Jesus.  We should not be surprised if we experience any or all of these.

 

PRAYER

Lord God, thank you for your works of power and compassion which you displayed through Jesus and your apostles.  Grant us faith to believe that you will work through us as well, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of seven. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.



 
 
 

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