TABITHA'S LIFE RESTORED

Acts 9:36-40 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 showing 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.

The news of Aeneas healing from the disease of palsy had spread from Lydda to Joppa. Located some ten to twelve miles from the city of Lydda, Joppa was an ancient seaport on the Mediterranean Sea in which Peter spent many days lodging with a man known as Simon the tanner, and from where he later was summoned to preach to the Gentile people (See Acts, chapter 10). Here in Joppa lived Tabitha. She was a disciple of Christ. And like all other Christians, had become a child of God by obeying His will, which culminated in baptism onto the body of Christ for the remission of her sins. Tabitha was her Hebrew name, which by interpretation is called Dorcas, her Greek name. Her faith in, and her love for God and His Son, Jesus Christ, was demonstrated by her fullness of good works and almsdeeds, which she did for others in need. Some examples of her good works are noted by the coats and garments, which Dorcas made (no doubt for others having such needs), while she was with them.

Just as all people that inhabit God's earth are destined to die, even saints that are filled with good works must ultimately pass away. Tabitha died, was washed in preparation for her burial, and laid in an upper chamber to await her interment. But those that attended to her, still had a glimmer of hope. No doubt they had heard of the apostle of Christ named Peter, and knew of the miracles that he had wrought in Jesus name. Having heard that he was in Lydda, the Christians, mourning the loss of Tabitha, sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Peter immediately went with them. Arriving in Joppa, at the house of Tabitha, he was taken into the upper chamber where all the widows were weeping as they observed the dead body of this faithful, loving Christian women that did so much for others in need.

After having all of the attending women leave the room, Peter realized his human limitations and inability to raise Tabitha from death, he kneeled down and prayed for God to use His omnipotent, spiritual power to breath life back into her deceased body and allow her to resume her life of following the Savior. Having thus prayed, and realizing that only God, through Jesus could perform the miracle of restoring her life, Peter, in complete faith, turned toward her body and said, Tabitha, rise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

The two verses that follow the lesson text, tell us that Peter gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. By this miracle the gospel message of salvation through Jesus was confirmed to be the will of God as the Holy Spirit-inspired apostles of Christ taught it. To deny this miracle of life restored to Tabitha by His will, is to deny that God raised Jesus Christ from His agonizing death on the cross of Calvary. And to deny the miraculous manner, in which He returned Tabitha's life to her, is also to deny God's promise of resurrection and eternal salvation that is offered to all His faithful children that are found in His church, the body of Christ.

However, the result of this wonderful miracle achieved the reason for which it was intended. It was the Holy Spirit-inspired apostle's teaching on the Day of Pentecost when three thousand were baptized into Christ. This was the same teaching in the city of Joppa. The result was that it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord, and no doubt were baptized into His body. Oh, that the world today would read of this miracle, believe God's will, repent of their sins, confess Jesus as the Son of God, and be baptized for the remissions of their sins.