Acts, chapter nine, begins with the sudden conversion and baptism of Saul of Tarsus, well known at that time as a devout Jew who hunted the followers of Jesus. He is the same man we now call Saint Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles, called directly by Jesus. After his conversion, he wastes no time in beginning his work, immediately preaching in Damascus, and then heading to Jerusalem, where Barnabas, a friend they have in common, brings him to the Apostles.
Chapter nine concludes with Peter performing two miracles, one of which is to raise from the dead one of the disciples, Tabitha.
The dramatic exposure of the supernatural in the natural world, all in the name of Jesus, proves to the actual witnesses and friends of Jesus that all he claims is true. To them, these proofs are more than intellectual or theoretical. These proofs are physical, obvious, and so emotionally overwhelming, that witnesses to them are instantly made certain of the truth of everything Jesus says.
As if his miracles were not enough, by giving his Holy Spirit to the twelve Apostles, and allowing them the grace to act in his name, Jesus added great fuel to the fire of his growing church. While we may not all perform dramatic acts that defy our understanding of the natural world, we share the same Holy Spirit as the Apostles and Jesus. And in personal ways, we do experience in our own lives miracles great and small. The trick is to notice them! Be open to the miracles!
Lord, give me sight to see the dramatic exposure of your super-natural touch on my own life. Let me continue to have the certainty of those first witnesses and friends of your son, though I have yet to encounter him in a physical way. Let your touch on my life become more apparent to others so that all who see it begin to recognize your miracles in their own lives.
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