Shadowlands

“People brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.” Acts 5:15

Cool. Way cool. What else is there to say? Did you read that verse? Read it again. “People brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.” Whoever heard of such a thing? A shadow bringing healing to the sick. People so full of power that everywhere any part of them went—even their silhouette—lives were dramatically altered. Sounds bizarre, but such had been foretold. “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father”(John 14:12-13). Before He left for heaven, Jesus left word on earth that bigger and better miracles than the ones He had performed would be taking place—not so His followers would have a following, but so His Father would get the glory.

Peter hadn’t been born with a super-shadow, and people knew that. They also knew he “had been with Jesus”(Acts 4:13) and that the good he did was done in the name of Jesus. When someone cheered for Peter, he turned the applause to God. And there was lots of clapping. “Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed”(Acts 5:16).

God heals in many ways—sometimes through words, sometimes through touch. Here His power flowed through Peter’s shadow. A few chapters ahead we find that “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them”( Acts 19:12). God can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants, however He wants. Our part is to be so filled with Him that His power overflows from us into the lives of others—altering their souls, spirits, and, if God so desires, even their bodies.

God works through words that can be heard. Touches that can be felt. Hankies that can be handled. And shadows that can be seen.

Cool. Way cool.