As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the
Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who was
paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus
Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. All
those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
My young children enjoy role playing for fun; sometimes they
pretend to be mom and dad, other times they take on the roles of teacher and
student. One day I overheard them engaged in a new portrayal. My daughter
walked over to her brother, pretended to give him something and said, “God
bless you.” My son replied with a beaming smile, “Thank you! God bless you,
too.”
I asked them what they were playing this time and my
daughter answered, “I gave him money because he didn't have any.” I realized
they had learned to imitate what my husband and I do when we encounter people
in need. I smiled to observe my children practicing generosity and grace. Even
more, my heart rejoiced to know they understood the source of our blessings.
This passage from Acts reinforces the truth that it’s all
about God. When Peter told Aeneas the atrophied muscles in his lifeless legs
had regained their strength, he did not say, “I, Peter, heal you.” Instead he
declared, “Jesus Christ heals you.” What made Peter automatically point to
Jesus as the source of this miracle? During his time as one of the twelve
disciples, he came to understand he could do nothing without God. He had been
able to walk on water only because Jesus had called him to, and when his faith
had faltered, it was Jesus who had saved him (Matthew 14:22-33). This is why
Peter believed without a doubt Jesus had healed Aeneas. Likewise, Aeneas acknowledged God, not Peter, as his healer. The text
reads that those who witnessed the new spring in his step “turned to the Lord”
(vs. 35), not to anyone else.
Like Peter and Aeneas,
may we also give glory to God for His blessings, whether as a giver or receiver
of them. Let us remember it is not about us for “every good and perfect gift is
from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not
change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17, NIV).
Acts 9:32-35
