BRUCE C WEARNE recounts a passage in Acts in which Peter had a vision as part of God’s plans to reach the Gentiles…
Now there in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, who also had the (translated) name of Dorcas (or gazelle). She was fully occupied with doing good things and with acts of mercy. Around that time she became ill and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her out in an upper room. Lydda was near Joppa, and so when the disciples heard Peter was there, they sent two men to him pleading, “Please come to us it’s urgent”. So Peter got up and went along with them. And having arrived, they took him to the upper room. There all the widows stood with him weeping, showing the blouses and garments Dorcas had made for them. And sending them all out of the room Peter knelt down and prayed, and then, turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, rise up”. And she opened her eyes, and upon seeing Peter she sat up. And giving her his hand he lifted her up. Then calling the saints and the widows he presented her alive. And thus it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner. – (Acts 9:36-43/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne)
WAKING TO NEW LIFE: Tabitha was raised from the dead in a miracle which led many to believe in the Lord. PICTURE: Eleni Kappa/www.freeimages.com
IN A NUTSHELL
Tabitha is raised. Another miracle; more believe.
This passage raises questions. Why should Luke tell us Tabitha’s other name? The first readers of this event could now go to Joppa, and prove the story for themselves by talking with this woman. There may have been other healings and raisings performed by Peter that Luke could have told us about, but he tells us about this one.
Luke tells this story with great tenderness. He evidently holds deep affection for Tabitha and her community as did Peter. Jesus’ work would continue on in her life after she was raised. She was a woman of great deeds, making her mark as a skilful seamstress. All in her community loved her.
This reminds us of how bitter death can be, and when the Good News tells us that such bitterness has been overturned by Jesus Christ in the power of God’s life- giving Spirit, we are meant to understand that God has restored our lives in order that the skills He has given may continue to be used. By Peter’s hand, in the power of the Spirit, the power of death was turned back for Tabitha. The community’s skilled artisan was restored to them.
When she died, two men had been sent to Peter in Lydda, not far away. It was urgent.
It says that the widows stood beside Peter, in a show of corporate female support. They had strong attachment to Tabitha, this maker of lovely garments. They were also a comfort to Peter in his grief. Tabitha and these widows were already known as disciples. Jesus’ work indeed had continued at that seaside port. Maybe these widows had been helped by the food distribution and had fled Jerusalem after Stephen’s death. The Holy Spirit was showing Peter that the outpouring was also upon women. A new kind of prophetic witness emerged; women were carrying God’s blessings to the world through their needlework.
Peter knelt and prayed and then, in response to his command, Tabitha woke up, sat up, Peter lifting her up. No doubt, Peter recalled Jesus healing his mother-in-law (Luke 4:38-9). And there was also the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:40-56). The Good News of this healing became known in that place. Tabitha had died and was raised. And Peter, unlike Jonah, stayed in Joppa. Luke tells us he stayed at the house of another Simon, a leatherworker. The Holy Spirit was continuing to encourage the skilful artisans among the Lord’s servants as He had always done (Exodus 31).
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