We turn now to some of the early acts of Peter:
“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” (Ac 9:32-35).
Peter is in full perfect unity with the Spirit, as he was in Acts 3:1-6, when he said to the beggar asking for alms at the entry to the temple, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”
What I do have I give to you in perfect unity – with you! I give you the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth! This is how we should view everyone we encounter. Just today, I was paying for new tires for my car, and the cashier unexpectedly asked me, “So what is the word of the day?” Completely out of the blue, I looked her in the eyes and said, “Grace.” She looked at me stunned, then recovered, and said, “Oh my, I really needed to hear that today. Thank you so much!”
Neither you nor I may have the power that Peter possessed, but we can give what we have through the Spirit in perfect unity with a perfect stranger.
“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” (Ac 9:36-43).
This is the same Peter who, not long ago, denied the name of Jesus in the courtyard of the high priest to save his own skin. He is also the one Jesus singled out later, asking Peter, “Do you love me?” And then, a command: “Feed my sheep!” So it is highly significant that before speaking to Dorcas, Peter kneels down in a symbol of humblest servitude, as if remembering how far he has come since that dreadful trial of Jesus.
Perfect unity with God is not a thing to be strutted about with peacock feathers fully deployed. It is a humble servant’s plea for assistance from our Master.
Why is this important? Because Peter has just begun a journey of incredible importance, one which will change the face of the new-found faith, though he does not yet know it.
As we shall see, it will humble him beyond all measure and place him in greatness for his service to his Master.
Hurry back for Acts Chapter 10!
And kneel down in perfect unity with Jesus and with all those we serve and will serve at his direction. Give what you have.