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In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon. (Acts 9: 36-43)
May this be a Wonderful Wednesday for you, dear Friend! I pray it finds you well and blessed!
The scripture readings for this week are all about life, including life after death. It affirms our belief that our God is not a God of death, but of life. May this story bless your life and allow you to bless others.
Joppa is a port city. You may remember reading how Jonah, when told by God to go to Nineveh, decides instead to flee, and it was in Joppa that he boards a boat heading in the opposite direction. The modern city of Tel Aviv, where most pilgrims to the Holy Land now land in its wonderful airport, encompasses what used to be Joppa. So, in this key city we are introduced to a disciple named Tabitha (Remember the old tv show Bewitched? Someone in the show was named Tabitha.) and in Greek her name was Dorcas, which means Gazelle. This woman was a woman of service, known for "always doing good and helping the poor." She gets sick and dies. Her body was prepared according to local custom and placed in her upstairs room. The other believers in town hear that Peter was in Lydda and two men summon him to come quickly to Joppa. What Peter finds there is a mourning scene, with the widows crying and showing off the robes and dresses that Tabitha had made for them. Peter sends them out of the room and prays. Then he turns to the body and said, "Tabitha, get up." She opens her eyes and sees Peter and gets up. He helps her up and calls for the believers to come in and witness this miracle of resurrection. This also helped many doubters come to fullness of faith in Jesus Christ.
We pray no one dies in order for someone to believe. Jesus did the dying necessary for our faith. It is up to us to live a resurrection life that give witness to the love and grace of our God. Our churches also should be places where we encourage life in Jesus Christ. The church should, like Peter and Jesus, reach out to the spiritually dying and find out what is killing them and offer them life. Sadly, too many believe the church should just pat the dying on the back and say, "That's too bad that you're dying, but it's okay to die because of what you're doing." No, we should help deliver the believer from whatever it is (dare I say sin?) that is killing them and offer them life and life in abundance in Jesus Christ. And because we are alive, we should be as Tabitha, people of service to others. She made clothing for the poor; what are you doing?
PRAYER: Loving God, free us for joyful obedience, but first deliver us from that which may be killing us. Remove sin from our lives and replace it with joy and hope. Rid us of despair and make us people of faith and service. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be a person of life and service!
Blessings of love,
Eradio Valverde
*Tabitha was the daughter of Samantha and Darren. Remember another biblical name used in the show for a person? And, I'm not advocating witchcraft or even this show; it's trivia that show the influence of the Bible even on television shows.
