Prepared to go abroad
Theme: Jesus Christ is building his catholic church; the inclusion of Gentiles is his idea
Lydda is known as ‘Lod’ in the Old Testament (cf. 1 Chronicles 8:12). Its strategic position at the intersection of two highways (one from Egypt to Babylon and the other from Joppa to Jerusalem) made it a valuable prize of war throughout the centuries. In terms of allotment, it falls on the border of the territory given to Ephraim (Joshua 16:5-9) and Dan (Joshua 19:40-48).
Joppa was a port city about 56 kilometres north west of Jerusalem. It was part of the allotment given to Dan (Joshua 19:40-48). Jonah went to this town when he sought to avoid going to Nineveh by boarding a ship destined for Tarshish (Jonah 1:3).
Miracles of Jesus, miracles of Peter
There are some clear and obvious parallels between the miracles performed by Jesus and those done by Peter. In Luke 5:17-26 Jesus heals a paralysed man by speaking and in Mark 5:37-41 Jesus also raises a girl from the dead (having told everyone to leave the room). The miracles of Jesus served to authenticate the fact that he was the Messiah of God. The miracles of the apostles affirm that they have been sent by Jesus and that he is at work through them.
