Faithful Disciples - Acts 9:36-43

Introduction

Today’s lesson takes place in the first decade of the church, sometime in the AD 30s. The death of Stephen () caused a scattering of Jerusalem church members. One of them, Philip, traveled to Samaria where he had success in preaching the gospel. The 12 apostles were still in Jerusalem, and of those Peter and John made the trip to Samaria to assist Philip and confirm his work. There Peter had a dramatic encounter with a sorcerer named Simon, a man who attempted to buy power of the Holy Spirit. After rebuking Simon, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching in villages along the way.

Sometime after this, Peter went to Lydda, a village about 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem, to visit believers (). There he healed a paralytic named Aeneas, causing many in the village and others nearby to turn to the Lord. In today’s lesson, Peter ended up in the seaside city of Joppa, 12 miles to the northwest of Lydda, Joppa was a walled seaport city built on a small ridge that jutted into the Mediterranean Sea.

Its tiny harbor was the closest natural anchorage to Jerusalem, causing the city to become a bustling port by the time of Solomon. Allotted to the tribe of Dan, Joppa was the seaport to which Jonah fled to hire passage to a distant place in his attempt to escape God’s call to preach to Nineveh. Joppa was a Jewish city, and it had an established church of Christians of Jewish background. This thriving seaport is the setting for today’s lesson.

Asking the Impossible -

Acts 9:36–38 NRSV

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. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. 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.”

Dorcas, whose Hebrew name is Tabitha, was a disciple who had standing with the Joppa church because of her acts of compassion. Her reputation may even be established among unbelievers. She both does good deeds and provides relief for the poor in various ways. She is an admired fixture in Joppa among both Jews and Christians.

What one thing can you do this week to add to a godly reputation? In building for meeting physical needs; in building a legacy for meeting spiritual needs.

In verse 37, we see that Dorcas died. The tragic death of Dorcas begins with little detail or emotion. Her death from an illness seems to have been a quick process, not that of a lingering condition. Her death most likely occurred in her own home. After Dorcas dies, her female friends do the normal things in preparation for burial.

In verse 38, we hear that the news of Dorcas’ death reaches Peter, while in Lydda, 12 miles away. The hurry is likely because Dorcas has died suddenly, and there is concern for decomposition. Embalming is not practiced by the Jews of the first century. But why the hurry - do the Christians in Joppa want Peter to come quickly to perform a resurrection before a certain amount of time passes? Do they want him to come quickly so he can console the grieving before a burial must take place? The only thing that seems beyond doubt is that time is of the essence for whatever Peter is expected to do.

Dorcas was dead. But that did not deter two men from dashing off to find Peter. No mention is made of the weather conditions, but a 24 mile walking trip in any weather is exhausting, especially with the pressure to hurry on one’s mind. The power of faith drove them on. Faith brings a knowing, a knowing that is from God. When circumstances, conditions, and people say no, it is faith that says yes, there is hope; keep on going.

How far are we willing to travel in faith to minister to someone physically and materially?

Witnessing the Incredible -

A

Acts 9:39–43 NRSV

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. 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. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.

In verse 39, we see that the men of Joppa were persuasive. Peter arrives to Dorcas’ home and is ushered upstairs. In the upper chamber, Peter finds a vigil being kept by the widows of the church. This is an emotionally charged scene. No spoken words are recorded from the widows.

In what ways can you help your church improve its grief support ministry? In a visibly available capacity; in a behind-the-scenes capacity.

In verses 40 & 41, Peter seems to spend little time comforting the widows. Instead, he seems to use Jesus’ procedure in the raising of Jairus’s daughter in as something of a model. He knows he must pray as hard as he has ever prayed, for he has no personal power or healing skills that will help Dorcas. After the room is cleared, Peter assumes a posture suitable for fervent prayer: on knees.

How do you navigate the tension between expecting God to intervene and realizing that he might not? Regarding doubt; regarding personal risk; regarding the possibility that God wants to intervene through you.

After praying to God, it is time to talk directly to Dorcas, also known as Tabitha. Peter’s imperative Tabitha, get up may be compared with Jesus’ “Talitha cumi” and the accompanying interpretation “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” regarding Jairus’ daughter (). Peter assists Dorcas in standing up. For a moment, it is just the two of them in the room. Peter presents her alive to those waiting. Dorcas lives! The tears of the widows probably continue, but now they are tears of joy.

Peter claims no honor for himself, he is Christ’s servant, willing to go where he is called and giving all the glory to God. The news spreads throughout Joppa, and many believe in the Lord as result. God uses signs and wonders in the book of Acts to bring people to faith - the faith that leads to eternal life.

What can your church do to capture the attention of the community for God’s glory? Considering your church’s strengths; considering your own spiritual giftedness; and considering community demographics.

Conclusion

What sort of legacy will you leave? Perhaps you are thinking mainly in terms of money you have designated in your will for a Christian cause or organization. Before trying to build your entire legacy that way, consider two points: (1) that’s not what Dorcas did, and (2) “The man who leaves money to charity in his will is only giving away what no longer belongs to him.” The quote is from Voltaire; although he was certainly no friend of Christianity, there is some wisdom in his observation.

Our primary legacies will be the people we are influencing now for Christ, people who will remain to do the work of God’s kingdom after we are dead and gone. How will people remember you? Are you a workaholic who never has time for others, or are you someone who can always be counted on to stop and help? Will your memory be of one who loved money the most or who loved people the most? Most importantly, will you leave behind a legacy of faith?

Prayer

Father, forgive us for not attending to the work of your kingdom as you desire. Remind us that the legacy we leave will be that of people we have served in the name of Christ. Indeed, it is in his name we pray and no other. Amen.