A Greater Purpose
Acts 9:32-42
The early church is on the move. Soon after the events of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-47), the disciples and others begin spreading out and sharing the good news. Peter, in turn, heads NW of Jerusalem to both evangelize and support the growing Christian communities.
One of Peter’s stops is Lydda, an ancient town about twenty miles NW of Jerusalem; probably a long day’s walk away. There he heals a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who has been bedridden for eight years. Stories of the healing spread and before long a delegation from Joppa (a town on the Mediterranean coast, about ten miles away) comes seeking Peter’s help. A wealthy woman named Tabitha, who was always serving the poor, had died. Immediately, Peter gets up and follows the men to Joppa. (Which must have made for a very long day!) Peter gets to work and soon, Tabitha has been resurrected and received back into the community.
These are powerful stories. They attest to the power of God. They attest to God’s willingness to work through Jesus’ followers. They are an inspiration to us all. But is there, perhaps, something more? Is there something deeper we need to notice?
Being bedridden, Aeneas’ only income for the last eight years is what he could earn from begging, which couldn’t have been much. We must conclude, then, that someone has been feeding and housing Aeneas all this time.
Feeding someone else was not a small gesture. Most people would have been living a subsistence existence, barely scratching a living from farming and trading. To make matters worse, the Romans and their client rulers were ruthless when collecting taxes – not caring if the grain they were taking was all the family had to eat.
In short, Aeneas has been a serious drain on his immediate family and the larger community. They could only support so many non-productive mouths. Aeneas’ healing could well have made a substantial difference to everyone. They loved him, but now they wouldn’t have to use their meager resources to keep him alive.
Tabitha, we understand, has a special heart for the poor and powerless. It’s not certain, but the Greek implies that the widows weeping for Tabitha were actually wearing the clothes she had made them. Without Tabitha, what would they do? Her loss is not only personal, it is a serious blow to the community. When Peter brings her back to life, he makes a difference to everyone’s welfare.
What we see, then, is that these miracles not only benefit the individuals, they also benefit the larger community. This is an important point. Peter’s ministry doesn’t just change individual hearts. It changes everyone’s standard of living.
What does this mean for us? I believe it means that God’s grace is not just for us but for everyone. Have you experienced God’s goodness in your life? How did you share that with the community?
Were you blessed with physical healing after an illness? Did you bless the community that cared for you and depended on you by making a donation to a struggling clinic?
Were you freed from an addiction? Did you become a mentor and advocate for others who are suffering?
Did you finally find a job after months of unemployment? Did you celebrate by helping a local food pantry or a charity providing interview clothes for those who can’t afford them?
When we are blessed by God’s goodness we should rejoice. We serve a kind and gracious God. We should also remember that our blessing is not just for us. We are meant to share it with others.
May we be the Aeneas and Tabitha our community needs.
God’s peace to all,
Pastor Ken.