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The Miracles in Joppa and Damascus

Ever been to a funeral? Of course you have. Many grieve. Others, come giving respect and honor to the deceased. Still others may have no connection with the person who died but came to support the living. I lost my father in January of 2016. It was a painful experience. Not because I lost a father, but because he had died without me knowing if he had committed his life to Jesus. The gospel has been shared with him numerous times. Later in life he became more serious with his Hindu faith. I just pray that as he breathe his last, he cried out to Jesus. There was another person Tabitha who lived in the ancient costal city of Joppa, now Jaffa. She followed Jesus and her funeral turned out quite differently.

Acts 9:40-41
But Peter put them all out, 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. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

These apostles continued to turn their world upside down. Peter prayed and Tabitha woke from her death. She is a known person in this trading town. The news spread quickly because Joppa served a large hinterland that depended on it for trade services. Many from other places would traverse this place for business or employment.  This news in a strategic location would travel great distances.  Peter's name would have been shared and he would have become famous for this act.  But before this, in the same chapter, we see another miracle.

Acts 9:11-12
So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

The murderous Saul who was going town to town catching people of this movement was blinded on the way to Damascus and was spoken to by Jesus himself. He got healed and started speaking for Jesus now. Wow! How did this small young movement grow so quickly and into many regions? The reasons are plain to see. Do you see?

Acts 9:15-16
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Father, thank you for your love for all mankind. I praise God that I am a follower of Jesus Christ.

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