“As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years.34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.” Acts 9.32-34
As far as I know, this is the only mention of Aeneas In the Bible. Sometimes when we find healings in the Bible, especially by Jesus, the names are not given. Here we have Peter healing Aeneas, a man who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. And we know his name! Peter even uses his name when he heals him saying “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.”
I find several significant points in this healing. As I mentioned, his name is used. It’s Greek for “the praised one.” Next, Peter doesn’t just say, “You are healed,” or “Get up and walk.” But Peter invokes the name of Jesus in the healing saying, “Jesus Christ heals you.” Then as Jesus himself often did, Peter tells Aeneas to get up and roll up your mat. A physical response is often required after a supernatural miracle is performed.
Peter is healing Aeneas but not in his own power. It’s a gift to Aeneas but also to the church as a whole. It’s a gift to us because now we have the power to heal in Jesus name. After this healing occurred, the second miracle was the belief of many who lived in the villages nearby – Lydda and Sharon — “all those who lived” there “saw him and turned to the Lord.”
A miracle for Aeneas was a miracle for many. Many believed after seeing this man healed. A miracle for Aeneas is also a miracle for us — we too, like Peter, have the ability to ask the Lord for healing. To invoke the name of Jesus — to the to the sick, “Jesus Christ heals you!” To say to the weary, the hurting, the depressed, the lost — “Jesus Christ heals you!”
Let’s not be shy in praying for healing for those who are hurting. What happened in Acts can happen today. What God did once, he can do again through us.
“O Lord God, thank you for the miracle for Aeneas. Thank you for the work of power in our lives. I praise you Lord for your loving kindness. Thank you for saving me and redeeming my life from the pit. I praise you God. Come Holy Spirit upon me, guide my steps and direct my ways. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen