When someone is seriously ill, there is usually the hope that he or she will be able to make a good recovery. The friends of a woman called Tabitha had a very strange hope, as we will hear in this fascinating story.
“A man named Aeneas … was paralyzed and had not been able to get out of bed for eight years.” (verse 33.) The apostle Peter met Aeneas when he “went to visit God’s people who lived in Lydda.
“‘Aeneas,’ Peter said to him, ‘Jesus Christ makes you well. Get up and make your bed.’ At once Aeneas got up! All the people living in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.” (verses 32-35.)
You wouldn’t have had any problem believing in miracles if you had met Aeneas after Jesus’ power had healed him. Today, if you were to meet a real Christian, it should help you to believe in miracles. You see, a wonderful miracle happens every time another person comes to true faith in Jesus as their only Priest and Saviour. (2ndCorinthians 5:17. John 1:12-13.) That life is turned from sin (Acts 3:26. 26:18.), and that person then wants to live to please God. (Titus 2:11-14.)
The news of such miraculous changes in people’s lives attract others’ attention to the love and power of God. (Ephesians 2:8-10. Psalm 40:1-3.)
When the news of Aeneas being healed reached the nearby town of Joppa, it gave new hope to some believers there. These were the friends of a woman called Tabitha, who had just died at that time. They sent a message to Peter saying, “Please hurry and come to us.” (verse 38.) They were hoping for a miracle too!
Maybe you have seen the miracle of change made in a true born-again Christian’s life by Jesus. But, could it be that you think there is no hope of a change that will make YOUR life good and acceptable to God? Don’t give up hope – “for nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37.)
When Peter arrived at Joppa “he knelt down and prayed; then he turned to the body and said, ‘Tabitha, get up!’ She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.” (verses 39-40.)
Such a miracle was truly wonderful, but its effect would not last forever - Tabitha would still have to come to an end of life on earth. But, Jesus’ true purpose for coming to earth was to do an even greater miracle for YOU - and its effects would last forever!
Jesus came to give ETERNAL LIFE to the people who would trust in Him alone to forgive their sins and make their lives acceptable to God. (John 6:36-40.)
A more important question than, “Do you believe in miracles?” is “Have you believed in Jesus to give you the miracle of a NEW BIRTH (John 3:3, 15-18, 36.), and ETERNAL LIFE which He alone can give.?” (John 5:24. 1st John 5:11-13.)
Read Acts chapter 9, verses 32-43.
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