The Apostle Peter was used by God to bring back to life Tabitha (also called as Dorcas] who is a disciple of the LORD. Tabitha was a kind woman, cheerfully helping the poor. The LORD allowed her to come back from the dead, so that she can continue to what she is doing (helping the poor) and also to make many people in Joppa to believe in the LORD. There was a purpose in this miracle. LORD, please grant to me and keep in my heart that cheerful willingness to help the poor, and let my life be used for your honor and glory, and use me, LORD, so that other people will get to know you as their Lord and Savior.
Text: Acts 9:36-42 NIV - New International Version
36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.
37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.
38 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!”
39 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.
40 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.
41 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.
42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
[From Our Daily Bread] In the last few days of my dad’s life, one of the nurses dropped by his room and asked me if she could give him a shave. As Rachel gently pulled the razor across his face, she explained, “Older men of his generation like to have a neat shave every day.” Rachel had seen a need and acted on her instinct to show kindness, dignity, and respect to someone. The tender care she provided reminded me of my friend Julie who still paints her elderly mother’s nails because it’s important to her mom that she “look pretty.”
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Acts 9 tells us about a disciple named Dorcas (also known as Tabitha) who showed kindness by providing handmade clothing for the poor (vv. 36, 39). When she died, her room was filled with friends who tearfully mourned this kind woman who loved helping others.
But Dorcas’ story didn’t end there. When Peter was brought to where her body lay, he knelt and prayed. In God’s power, he called her by name, saying, “Tabitha, get up” (v. 40). Amazingly, Dorcas opened her eyes and rose to her feet. When her friends realized she was alive, word spread quickly through the town and “many people believed in the Lord” (v. 42).
And how did Dorcas spend the next day of her life? Probably exactly as she had before—seeing the needs of people and filling them. By Cindy Hess Kasper
[From Commentary] The main event we usually focus on in Acts 9 is the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. However, Peter’s time in Joppa is also highlighted (vv. 36–43). When he raised Dorcas from the dead (v. 40), he said, “Tabitha, get up.” This echoes Jesus’ Aramaic words to Jairus’ daughter in Mark 5:41, “ ‘Talitha koum!’ (which means ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’).” This event sets the stage for the events in Acts 10, when Peter received a heavenly vision in anticipation of messengers from the Roman centurion Cornelius (vv. 9–16). This vision would prepare the way for the door of the gospel to be opened to the gentiles. So, Peter’s brief stay in Joppa was not only eventful but reached forward throughout the history of the church as people from every tribe, tongue, and nation were invited to respond to the gospel. - Bill Crowder
[From me] The Apostle Peter was used by God to bring back to life Tabitha (also called as Dorcas] who is a disciple of the LORD. Tabitha was a kind woman, cheerfully helping the poor. The LORD allowed her to come back from the dead, so that she can continue to do what she is doing (of helping the poor) and also to make many people in Joppa to believe in the LORD. There was a clear purpose in this miracle. LORD, please grant me and keep in my heart that cheerful willingness to help the poor, and let my life be used for your honor and glory, and please use me, dear LORD, so that other people will get to know you as their Lord and Savior. Posted March 27, 2023
