Scripture Reading(s)
Acts 9:36-43
9:36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity.
9:37 At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs.
9:38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.”
9:39 So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them.
9:40 Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up.
9:41 He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive.
9:42 This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
9:43 Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.
Reflections
I love how scripture describes Tabitha as being a woman who was “devoted to good works and acts of charity”. It is such an amazing quality for a woman of God to have a heart to serve. Many times we think that just because we are women, that there is limits to how much we can serve others and especially in the church. To Tabitha it was all about her heart and the love that she had to serve.
This scene of her death and being raised back to life paints a strong picture of God’s power and Grace. The whole point of this passage is not to point to the fact that one should pray or think that they have the authority or means to raise someone back to life. The point of this passage is to see how God’s power is stronger over everything, including death.
Tabitha being raised from the dead was not to her benefit or to those who missed her. It was done so that many people could see the saving power of God working and being alive and active. Verse 42, gives us that exact idea “this became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.” Sometimes we do not fully understand why God works in the way that He does. The whole point is that it is God who is at work and it is God who has the power to work out all these details and use whatever means He deems are best to bring about a greater purpose.
Tabitha was a vessel that God used to bring hope to those who were lost and increase the faith of those who had already believed. The focus is not on her being raised from the dead. The focus is on God’s almighty hand at work and how only He can bring about these events and use them to display His Glory and Love to all.
There is so much joy in this passage not only because Tabitha was raised back to life, but because many came to believe in the almighty God and it is also amazing to note that Tabitha was not the one who was at work serving others to bring this about. In her death, she was not able to serve. It was God alone who used her in the same way He wants to use us to spread the love of Christ to others.
Peter’s boldness may be one of his defining character traits. At times some would say he was rash and impulsive. Yet, Peter’s great boldness also crossed over into his faith in Jesus and in the power of His name. It was this boldness that helped him to accomplish such great things in Jesus’ name.
Likewise, we have every reason to be just as bold as Peter. Whether it’s sharing the good news with someone or praying for healing for another, we have need to trust that God is able. The same power that conquered the grave now resides in us. The Holy Spirit is ready to move in power when we choose to walk in the spirit and act boldly in the name of Christ Jesus.