April 07, 2023 – Friday
Acts 9:30 NIV
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.
Comments
Returning to Acts 9 we have the verses above, but what is going on there? To answer that question we have to go back to preceding verses. First of all, this is the chapter where Saul meets Christ as he approaches Damascus, is blinded by the light of Jesus. He regains his sight and begins preaching in Damascus where the Jewish leadership wanted him dead. He escaped and went to Jerusalem where he eventually was powerfully preaching in the name of Jesus. Then the Hellenistic Jews wanted him dead as again he preached so powerfully, they could not refute him. Then 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus which was covered on Wednesday.
Then we have a switch from Saul (Paul) to Peter as Saul has been sent to Tarsus. The first mention of Peter is in verse 32, 32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. It was there he found a man, Aeneas, paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. Peter said to him, 34 Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat. Immediately Aeneas got up. We are given no further background on how and why this came about, but we are told of the result, 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
Next, we learn about a good woman and disciple named Tabitha (Greek Dorcas) who lived in Joppa – not far from Lydda. Sadly, she became sick and died. The disciples in Joppa sent two men to Peter and asked him to Please come at once! Of course, 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.
Now we come to our verses for today, 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. Peter had seen Jesus do something very similar with the 12 year old daughter of Jairus, you can read about it in Mark and in Luke.
Peter did as Jesus had done in healing (bringing back to life) the 12 year old girl. It is important to note that Dorcas was not resurrected to eternal life, but brought back to life to live longer in her earthly life. Why? We are not told other than, 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.
It is interesting timing that God led to this miracle for me to write about on Good Friday, when we will celebrate Jesus’ resurrection on Sunday. Some call it Easter, but it is really Resurrection Sunday as it is really about the Lamb of God, not the Easter bunny’s eggs.
Bottom Line: God permitted many signs and wonders among the Apostles and today we have the privilege of reading about them. Just as then, still today, people are led to believe in the Lord.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You have saved Your Word so we might know of the great and wonderful miracles done in the name of Your Son, our Lord and Savior. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek