Ministry in Lydda

Peter went down to visit the saints who lived in Lydda. As a side note, on May 30, 1972, a terrorist attack by the “Japanese Red Army” occurred (the Lod Airport massacre). The location of this attack was Lydda of biblical times. Let’s review the city of Lydda: (1) In the Hebrew Scriptures, it was known as Lod (1 Chron. 8:12). This city is located about 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Jerusalem, about two-thirds of the way from Jerusalem to the Mediterranean Sea, at the southern end of the Sharon Plain. (2) Although many Gentiles lived there, it was still an important Jewish city. There was a group of Jewish believers in Lydda, likely the result of Philip’s evangelism (ref. Acts 8:40). “There he found a man named Aeneas who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed. Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your own bed.’ Immediately he got up.” (1) There was a similar instance in the ministry of the Lord Jesus. In Capernaum, when a paralyzed man was lowered through the roof by his four friends, Jesus asked, “For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?” And then He healed the paralyzed man (Matthew 9:5-6). (2) Furthermore, at the pool of Bethesda, a man who had been ill for 38 years was healed (John 5:8). (3) Let’s compare the words of Jesus and Peter: (a) “Get up, pick up your stretcher and go home” (Jesus). (b) “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk” (Jesus). (c) “Get up and make your own bed” (Peter). They are very similar. (4) Peter clearly declared that Jesus Christ is the healer. “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you.” Aeneas immediately got up. This healing demonstrated Peter’s authority as an apostle. “And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.” This sign led many people living in Lydda and Sharon to faith. “Turned to the Lord” means that they believed in the Lord and were saved. The Acts of the Apostles is a book that records how the resurrected Jesus worked. Even now, Jesus seeks to save sinners through us. Let us become the vessel to deliver the love and grace of the Lord Jesus.