A Disciple Named Tabitha or Dorcas from Joppa

Acts 9:36-42
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

In the city of Joppa now called as Jaffa there lived a certain disciple whose name was Tabitha which means Dorcas. Dorcas means graceful and swift antelope. This woman was truly graceful and swift for she was full of good works and almsdeeds. She made clothes for the poor and the widows. She was the woman who worked willingly with her hands as it says in Proverbs 31:13. She stretched forth her hand to the poor and reached forth her hands to the needy as it says in Proverbs 31:20. She was one woman the poor and the needy looked up to. She was a woman both with faith and deeds. She fell sick and died. The poor, the needy and the widows were bereft of a friend who lend them a helping hand, provided clothing when needed and took care of them when nobody did. They washed Dorcas after her death and laid her in the upper chamber where all that were benefited from her surrounded her corpse.

Lydda was near Joppa and the disciples heard that Peter was at Lydda. They sent two men for Peter desiring that he would not delay his coming. The disciples could not afford to delay Peter’s coming. Peter arose and went with them. He made himself available and responded to their call without delay or hesitation. They were confident and trusted that Peter could perform a miracle and thus relieve the poor, the needy and the widows. Here was a woman whose survival was vital for the multitudes that were stricken in poverty. They knew Peter was one of the closest disciples of Jesus who could raise Dorcas from the dead just like Jesus did, for all power in heaven and earth was passed on from Jesus to the disciples. Like Peter may we also rush for the things of God and not procrastinate for we know not what tomorrow brings our way. While there is still time for us may we carry on the mission of the Lord Jesus that is vested on us humans.

When Peter came in thither, they brought him into the upper chamber and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. All that were gathered there stood by Peter weeping and showing the garments that Dorcas made for them. Here they were showing her mighty works and were hoping Peter would bring her back to life so they could be provided for. The poor and the needy were expectant that Peter would see her works while she was with them and thus restore her to them. One person could make a difference in the lives of so many. Yes, we too can make a difference by doing deeds that support the poor and the needy. James 2:15-16 says, “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” Let us accompany our faith with deeds for faith without works is dead.

But Peter asked them all to leave the chamber, and kneeled down, and prayed. Peter desired to be alone for he wanted to kneel down and pray. When we kneel down and pray may we also choose a quiet and lonely place where we can commune with God directly without any disturbance. As it says in Matthew 6:5-6, may we not pray publicly so that our prayers are noticed by men but let our prayers be secretly addressed to the Father in heaven. There is so much power in the prayers offered in the secret closet like the power in Peter’s prayer. We also see that he knelt down as he prayed. Kneeling down represents his humility before God for he knows very well his dependency on God through Jesus Christ. He beseeched the Lord for a miracle here.

He turned himself to the body and said “Tabitha, arise!” He addressed the body that lacked life and spirit by saying “arise”. By faith he knew that a miracle will come to pass for his faith in the power of God over death was so great. He saw the risen Lord and was thus confident about God’s power over death. He besought the Lord not for life in some useless vessel but in the vessel that was a blessing to so many others around her. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. Her spirit was brought back into her body and she opened her eyes. When we turn from our wicked ways and repent of our sins the eyes of our heart are opened and the eternal life flows into us. Here Tabitha opened her eyes thus reflecting that she was no longer dead but alive. The moment she saw Peter, she sat up. She sat up to show her reverence to the man of God.

And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. Peter gave her his hand to give support to the fellow Christian. May we also support our fellow believers and lift them up when they are falling away. Many backsliding Christians need our support to lift them up from falling to the world and its ways. Peter had called the saints and the widows and had presented Tabitha alive. They who were in grief because of the loss of a beloved sister witnessed a mighty miracle wrought by a man of God. They had faith that Peter could restore Tabitha to life and their faith was multiplied upon witnessing a mighty miracle. The news of Tabitha’s return to life spread across the entire city of Joppa and many believed in the Lord.

May we like Dorcas choose the deeds that support the poor, the needy, the widows and the least of our brethren for these deeds are unto the King of Kings (Matthew 25:40). May our faith not be mere words but supported by actions. God will help us carry out such deeds when we seek His help and start out in faith.

Tomorrow: A Damsel with a Spirit of Divination