THE STORY - In this lesson, we have one of two healing stories that Luke includes in his account of the spread of witnesses of resurrection (Aeneas and Dorcas, both in chapter 9). Due to Peter’s widespread reputation as a healer, a congregation sends a delegation to solicit his help even though Dorcas has already died. In actions similar to Jesus, Peter pushes everyone out the door, prays, and speaks to the corpse: "Tabitha, get up (vs. 40)."

THE CORE OF GRAVITY - What is at the center of this healing story? What did Luke intend to convey as the primary point of the story? Possibilities are varied and many: (1) to demonstrate the ongoing ministry of Jesus through his "ordained" successors; (2) to trigger memories of Jesus raising another female from death (Mark 5:35-43); (3) to remind people of the impact of Jesus’ resurrection of believers; (4) to segue from the Joppa in chapter 9 to the Joppa of chapter 10, where Peter gets a vision that sets the stage for the Caesarean Pentecost; (5) to demonstrate God’s continual concern for widows and those who are powerless. (6) to foreshadow God’s desire to break down barriers by healing and saving those outside the Jerusalem circle; (7) to reveal the purpose of healings-"many believed in the Lord" (9:42).

WHAT’S AT STAKE?: There is more at stake in sickness than the miraculous cure of the one. It affords a grieving community the chance to express gratitude for someone else, to worship and weep together, to find a measure of God’s comforting presence among them. In this case God does heal Tabitha. But once again Luke’s story does not end with her but with others: "This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord" (9;42). [1]

Tabitha was apparently renown for "good works and charity." Her friends bring some of the clothes that she had produced to Peter. The community deeply felt her loss. Who do you know in your faith community who comes closest to Luke’s description of Tabitha? How have they been honored for their work (while they can appreciate it)?

First, check for the homilies that we already have archived on DPS-perhaps that will provide some useful ideas for preaching.

Retell the story as if Tabitha were someone in your own congregation; describe her work, demise, and subsequent healing.

Tell a story about loss. Persons you (and/or others) loved, who requested healing prayer, yet died. Let people feel the tension between the healing of the text and the tragedy of unanswered prayer.

Suggest that we should come to Acts generally and this lesson in particularly, with "wide-angle" or "big picture" faith. More is at stake than healing-as if death still strutted around like a bully after Jesus’ utter defeat of death. Escaping death is not what drives this story. What Luke wants us to walk away with is trust in the living Lord who still walks among us. Notice Luke’s epilogue: "This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord" (Acts 9:42).

Conclude with the bottom line: whatever it takes to bring people to know the ever living, loving Lord is game! Sometimes noble death can bring that exact result. I’ve witnessed that; so have you. At other times extraordinary events and interventions get people’s attentions. In this case, Tabitha came back. (Yet none of the other widows will enjoy that kind of treatment!)

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[1] The New Interpreter’s Bible X (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2002), page 170.