今天经文中的故事,让我们瞥见神的灵透过使徒彼得所作的工作。使徒行传讲述了像“圣灵降临”这样的重大时刻,但也突显出藉着耶稣门徒的事工,一些个人生命被改变的事件。
一个瘫痪八年的人听见彼得说:“耶稣基督医好你了,起来...”
另一个生命被改变的人是大比大,又叫多加。她生重病死了,许多人为她哀哭。彼得赶到时,许多寡妇拿多加为她们做的衣服给彼得看。彼得向神祷告,神就使她起死回生。哀哭转为跳舞,更多的人相信了耶稣。
这些只是遥远的古代教会中一些好听的故事,还是有别的意味?神仍在世上工作。有些事媒体可能注意不到,但我们知道,耶稣的教会仍被呼召,去触及他人的生命——一个一个的生命。
医治和盼望的神,使我们能进入他人的生命,好使我们与哀哭的人同哭,也见证你的爱,盼望和医治,擦去眼泪。奉耶稣的名祷告,阿们。
使徒行传 9:32-43
32彼得周流四方的时候,也到了居住吕大的圣徒那里。
33遇见一个人名叫以尼雅,得了瘫痪,在褥子上躺卧八年。
34彼得对他说:“以尼雅,耶稣基督医好你了。起来,收拾你的褥子!”他就立刻起来了。
35凡住吕大和沙仑的人都看见了他,就归服主。
36在约帕有一个女徒,名叫大比大,翻希腊话就是多加。她广行善事,多施赒济。
37当时,她患病而死,有人把她洗了,停在楼上。
38吕大原与约帕相近,门徒听见彼得在那里,就打发两个人去见他,央求他说:“快到我们那里去,不要耽延!”
39彼得就起身和他们同去。到了,便有人领他上楼。众寡妇都站在彼得旁边哭,拿多加与她们同在时所做的里衣外衣给他看。
40彼得叫她们都出去,就跪下祷告,转身对着死人说:“大比大,起来!”她就睁开眼睛,见了彼得,便坐起来。
41彼得伸手扶她起来,叫众圣徒和寡妇进去,把多加活活地交给他们。
42这事传遍了约帕,就有许多人信了主。
43此后,彼得在约帕一个硝皮匠西门的家里住了多日。
“[Peter] took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.” — Acts 9:41
Today’s story in Scripture provides a glimpse into the Spirit of God’s work through the apostle Peter. The book of Acts tells of big moments like Pentecost, but it also highlights how individuals’ lives are changed by the ministry of Jesus’ disciples.
A man who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years hears Peter say, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up... ” His life was changed, and many people in the local area turned to Jesus.
Another person whose life was changed was Tabitha, also known as Dorcas. She became sick and died, and many people mourned. When Peter arrived, many widows showed him the clothing Dorcas had made for them. Peter prayed to the Lord, and God brought her back to life again. Mourning turned into dancing, and more people came to believe in Jesus as Lord.
Are these merely good stories of a distant time in the life of the church, or are they something more? God is still at work in this world. The news media may not pay attention, but we know that the church of Jesus is still called to touch the lives of others—one life at a time. We can come alongside people who are hurting and point them to the healing and hope that come through Jesus.
God of healing and hope, empower us to enter into the lives of others so we may weep with those who weep and also wipe away tears as we witness to your love, hope, and healing in Jesus’ name. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳