Take a moment to read Acts 9:20-43 before reading the devotional below.
Saul’s conversion is one of the more shocking miracles in the early church. Imagine if the world’s leading terrorist, on his way to another attack, started preaching the Gospel. I would 100% assume that was a complete set up. And the believers there are certainly concerned, but his preaching is converting a whole lot of people. So it’s not long before the religious leaders who used to be fans of Saul turn against him and make him the target of arrest. Eventually, the believers help him flee persecution and they begin to experience a time of greater peace.
In the meantime, Peter is still going strong in his ministry and he heals another paralyzed man. But God has even greater plans for Peter as the believers cry out in desperation, mourning the loss of a great woman of God, Dorcas (also called Tabitha). Peter doesn’t miss a beat and recalls Jesus’ example of raising a young girl from the dead. Jesus had said, “Talitha koum” in Mark 5:41, meaning “little girl, arise.” In what some have suggested is a play on words, Peter says, “Tabitha, arise” and the woman is resurrected from death.
You can never go wrong when you imitate Jesus. Peter keeps being put on the spot to preach or perform miracles with no time to think or prepare. But his time with Jesus was fruitful and he quickly calls to mind all he has seen before. His faith in Jesus’ power and the authority Jesus gave him to build the church connects him with the supernatural. Some people today are also gifted with healing and miraculous outpourings of the Spirit. All of us are equipped to engage in the spiritual battle and imitate Jesus in each situation. If you missed our Luke series, go back and check out those posts to learn more about how to imitate Jesus!