Acts 9:36-43 (NRSV)
Read Acts 9:36-43 on biblegateway.com
Verse 36Now 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. Verse 37At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Verse 38Since 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." Verse 39So 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. Verse 40Peter 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. Verse 41He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. Verse 42This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Verse 43Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.
Devotion
Tabitha (Dorcas in Greek) belonged to a community that did not want to let her go, even after she died. Her friends' mourning was so severe that the disciples summoned Peter for backup support. Tabitha's friends remembered her by showing Peter samples of her sewing skills in the clothes she had made, but Peter had other plans. He wasn't interested in Tabitha's past, but in her future. He sent the widows out of the room, knelt, prayed, and ordered, "Tabitha, get up." She sat up. Tabitha was alive! Now she not only belonged to the community from her past that admired her handiwork. Now Tabitha was a living demonstration of Jesus' resurrection power, of God's handiwork to defeat death and create life. That power is still at work today. How is God calling you to rise up?
Prayer
Almighty God, we thank you for your gift of resurrection life. Help us hear your call to get up, to rise up, and to witness to your love and grace. Amen.