“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. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.” Acts 9.36-43
It’s not often in Scripture that we see someone raised from the dead. According one source, “In addition to Jesus Himself being raised from the dead, the Bible records nine other instances of people rising from the dead (1 Kings 17:22; 2 Kings 4:33–36; 13:21; Matthew 27:52; Luke 7:11–17; 8:40–56; John 11:43–44; Acts 9:40–41; 20:9–12),” [https://www.gotquestions.org/raising-the-dead.html]. There is no doubt that God has the power to raise someone from the dead but we do not often see this today.
Tabitha is one exception. Think about this, she’s only one of ten people who were raised from the dead in the whole Bible. Where thousands of names are given and hundreds of stories are told. Tabitha, a women who was a follower of Jesus, “always doing good and helping the poor,” was given a second lease on life.
In the story, when she died, the disciples shared that Peter was near their town of Lydda. They urged him, “Please come at once!” So Peter went, arrived upstairs to the room in which she lay surrounded by her widow friends displaying Tabitha’s craftsmanship while she was still alive. Then Peter kneels down, sends everyone out of the room, and says to the dead woman, “Tabitha, get up.” And immediately, she opened her eyes, “and seeing Peter sat up.” Helping her to her feet, Peter calls in the other believers, “especially the widows and present her to them alive.” As a result, “this became know all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.”
Tabitha’s triumph was a win for the kingdom. Sure it was helpful that she was alive again for the sake of those to whom she was ministering, but what a better witness of God’s power to raise the dead. This miracle lead to “many people,” believing in the Lord. So the question begs asking — Was the miracle for Tabitha or for others? Was it only for those in the room that day or for the millions who have read the story since and found hope in the Lord?
Too often we limit God’s ability to work among us. Too often we lack faith and restrict God’s activity. If the disciples had not called Peter, then Tabitha would not have found new life. It Peter had not had faith to speak to Tabitha, faith in the Lord to bring healing, then those who heard the miracle would not have believed and turned to the Lord. The chain of events is undeniable.
Tabitha’s triumph can be our rallying cry. It can be encouragement to walk by faith, to ask the Lord to do the impossible, and to see people come to faith through the supernatural of God.
I’m not sure what the cry of your heart is this day but lift it up to the Lord. Seek a miracle from the one who gives sight to the blind, makes the lame walk and raises the dead to life.
“O Lord God, you are good and faithful. When my faith fails, you remain steadfast. When I falter, you are faithful. Come now, Holy Spirit, help me find my strength in you. Help me find completion through your Word and by your Spirit. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen