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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. 37 At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. 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." 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. 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. 41 He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. 42 This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner. (Acts 9:36-43 NRSV)
This is a story about a shepherd who was a woman. Shepherd in the sense of loving and caring for others to the point she dedicated her life to them. The woman was named Tabitha, and also known as Dorcas which was her Greek name. She lived in a city that is one of the world's oldest cities. It sits high atop a mountain overlooking the Mediterrean sea. Joppa was the port where the timber for the temple arrived as ordered by Solomon through Lebanon. Joppa was also the city where Jonah fled when God had told him to head to Nineveh. It was an international city, where visitors from all over the world came for various reasons, most for trade and commerce. And like most cities of that size, there were people in need. This woman, as shepherd, did much to meet the needs of these under her care. Most of these were widows. The day came when she fell ill and died. As was the custom, her disciples washed her and placed her upstairs in a second story room. The disciples, or believers, in Jesus heard that Peter was in the area and so they requested his presence quickly. Peter arrives as requested and he was taken upstairs where Tabitha lay. It was quite the scene where the widows who loved her and appreciated her were wailing and weeping and throwing on her, as tributes, the tunics she had made for them. Peter asks that they step outside. Once it was quiet, Peter knelt down and prayed. After the prayer he turns to the body and called her by name, "Tabitha, get up." She opens her eyes and saw Peter, and sat up. Peter helped her up by the hand and helped her up. It was then that Peter called all who were mourning to come and celebrate the miracle that God provided. This event led many in the area to come to faith in Jesus. And Peter stayed longer in that town with a man named Simon who worked as a tanner.
Peter was, through his ministry, the shepherd over Tabby. And it is very fitting, that when a shepherd needs help, he or she has a shepherd over them; and all of us have over us in our times of need, The Good Shepherd, who never lets us down. because His love never ends nor does His care for us. This passage stresses the importance of prayer, for here, the chief disciple among the Twelve, had learned the lessons well about how to pray, when to pray, and the power behind praying. In the same way Peter responded with care, God does when we pray and ask God to bless us. We should know we pray all the time, in the bad times, and especially in the good times. We worship God when we pray, so our prayers should be modeled as times of praise and honor to God. Prayer is also a time to listen to God. God answers all prayers, but all according to HIs plan and will. Yet, onward we march, praying, listening, doing, helping, and serving. May the example of Tabitha's life and Peter's prayer life, bless you into action!
PRAYER: Loving Father, guide us to grow and bless. We thank You for the lives of these heroes of the Bible and the way they served You and Yours with love and blessings. May we spring into action doing the same. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Make a "tunic" of love for someone; weaving your love around their needs in ways that adorn their lives with beauty.
Receive my blessings of peace and hope,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
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