The physician Luke wrote how, “Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did”, and in chapter eight and verse seven of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them” where we read:
For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them:
and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
The verse begins, “For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them:” Luke began with the words, “for unclean spirits” which means “because, since and on account that morally impure, lewd, foul and demonic spiritual entities”, “crying with a loud voice” or “shouting aloud with a grand and mighty scale of tone and sound of uttered words”, “came out of many” which means “departed and left a large number of the people” “that were possessed with them” or “who owned, held, adhered to and closely joined themselves to the people”. Luke shared how “morally lewd and impure spiritual beings” were “shouting loudly” as they departed the people they “possessed”.
The verse continues, “and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.” Luke added the words, “and many taken with palsies” which means “and a large number of people who were weakened, enfeebled, sick and paralyzed”, “and that were lame” or “and who were deprived of foot, halt and crippled” “were healed” which means “were cured, restored to health and made whole”. Luke shared how a great number of people in Samaria who were sick, enfeebled, paralyzed and crippled were made whole.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how many of the people in Samaria were afflicted with sickness, paralyzed and crippled, and yet, when “Philip” performed the “miracles” upon them, they were restored to health. God's interest in mankind is both physical and spiritual, and although the physical bodies of people are temporary, He performed “wonders and signs” upon them. Jesus said, “these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues” (See Mark 16:17), and when people yield themselves to Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord”, God is able to work in them both physically and spiritually throughout their lives. Let all who read these words consider the miracles performed in Samaria and submit themselves to Jesus who has power over every sickness and disease.
Next time Luke shares how, “there was great joy in that city”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment