The Pilgrim Path---Acts 9: 32 – 42

Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the LORD.

Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 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.” 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. 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. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the LORD. And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.

“PLEASE COME TO US WITHOUT DELAY…”

The word from the Apostle Paul in Galatians is, “do good to all men---especially to those of the household of faith.” We “see” this brought to life by Peter here towards the end of Acts chapter 9. He went here and there for the Savior. Aeneas was a “captive” of disease for eight years. Hard to imagine anything more debilitating than being a prisoner of your room for almost 3,000 days. Such was the plight of Aeneas. Some way or another---Peter is prompted by the Spirit to tell the poor man that all his bad days are over: “Aeneas, Jesus heals YOU---get up and make your bed.” Wow---the LORD is merciful---and practical. You have got some things to do My Man! And right then---he got Up! And the news traveled fast. Many in Lydda and Sharon decided to repent and rely on the Savior. That is what miracles were for: to bless people---and substantiate the Message of the Gospel. Aeneas would be a living testimonial to the power of the Living Christ.

Not long ago, I was asked about healing. Does it occur? I related the story of my mother having the most terrible issue with upper GI pain. All sorts of images were taken. The doctor said it was time to operate. Multiple images revealed strangulated tissue. Quite a few of us prayed. Amazingly, a quick surgical exploration revealed “no” strangulated tissue anywhere. The doctor was shocked---and my Mom felt fine. All we could do was give thanks to the LORD. Then again---I have prayed for people who were quite ill. They died in a day or so. They received the ultimate healing. Absent from the body---present with the LORD. The Savior knows best. We make our case---and leave the results with Him. I love this narrative about Dorcas. She was precious to the saints at Joppa. When the folks found out that the Apostle Peter was close by after her death---they thought---it is worth getting that man here. The LORD might just use him to bring our sister “back” into the world. This is a “first” for Peter. How do you go “expecting” to raise the dead? Yet, the Apostle goes on a genuine triumph trip---for Tabitha comes back to the world of the Living! These were indeed “action” times in the early Church---and many believed in Jesus…

In the face of sickness, I like to repeat from time to time, the excellent teaching of J. C. Ryle on Sickness---from his Treatise on “Practical Religion.” Just some solid points to keep in mind---because we must deal with illness---and we do not always get healed as soon as we ask---or hope. The LORD has His reasons. We may rest in His love and holy purpose always. Well, on to Bishop Ryle:

---Sickness helps remind people of death. Most live as if they were never going to die. A heavy illness goes far to dispel these delusions. Now this I say emphatically is a mighty good.

---Sickness may help people begin to think seriously of God. Most in their days of health can find no time for such thoughts. Now a severe disease has sometimes a wonderful power of mustering and rallying these thoughts and bringing them up before the eyes of a man’s soul. Even heathen sailors, when death was in sight, were afraid, and “cried every man to his god” (Jonah 1: 5).

---Sickness may often soften people’s hearts and teach them wisdom. The natural heart is as hard as stone. It can see no good in anything which is not of this life, and no happiness excepting in this world. A long illness sometimes goes far to correct these ideas.

---Sickness helps to level and humble us. We are all naturally proud and high-minded. Few, even of the poorest, are free from the infection. A sick bed is often a mighty tamer of such thoughts as these. It forces on us the mighty truth that we are all poor worms, that we “dwell in houses of clay,” and are “crushed before the moth” (Job 4: 19). In the sight of the coffin and the grave it is not easy to be proud.

---Sickness does try men’s religion---of what sort it is. Disease is sometimes most useful to people in exposing the utter worthlessness of their soul’s foundation. It often shows them that they have nothing solid under their feet, and nothing firm under their hand.

---All this reminds us to live constantly ready to meet God. We need not fear if we possess the righteousness of Jesus by faith. Pardon of sin and meetness for God’s presence---justification by faith and sanctification of the heart---the blood of Christ sprinkled on us, and the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us---these are the grand essentials of the Christian religion.

---We must lay up stores of grace in times of health. We must make a real business of our prayers, and regularly ask for strength to endure God’s will as well as do it. Such strength is to be had for the asking: “If ye ask anything in my name, I will do it for you” (John 14: 14).

---We need to be prepared to feel with--- and help our fellow-men. Sickness is not far from us. A little timely assistance in some cases---a kindly visit---a friendly inquiry---a mere expression of sympathy, may do a vast good.

---I entreat all the Christians who are sick---to remember that Christ cares for them as much when they are sick as he does when they are well, and that the very chastisement they feel so acutely is sent in love, and not in anger. Above all, I entreat them to recollect the sympathy of Jesus for all His weak members. They are always tenderly cared for by Him, but never so much as in their time of need. Christ has had great experience of sickness. He knows the heart of a sick man. He used to see “all manner of sickness and disease” when He was upon earth. He felt especially for the sick in the days of His flesh. He feels for them specially still. Sickness and suffering, I often think, make believers more like their LORD in experience, than health. “Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses” (Matthew 8: 17). The LORD Jesus was a “Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53: 3). None have such an opportunity of learning the mind of a suffering Savior as suffering disciples.

HYMN

Day by day and with each passing moment,

Strength I find to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,

I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure

Gives unto each day what He deems best---

Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Carolina Sandell Berg (1832-1903) / translated by Andrew L. Skoog (1856-1934)

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason

*** This will be my last post for a while. LORD Willing, I hope to resume on March 29th. Thanks for your patience and encouragement!