Now there was in
Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full
of good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died, and
when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near
Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging
him, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter rose and went with them. And
when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside
him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she
was with them. But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and
turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and
when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then
calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known
throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. And he stayed in Joppa for
many days with one Simon, a tanner (Acts 9:36-43).
Today we examine a miracle. As Peter continued
to serve the Lord, minister to people, and preach the gospel, the Holy Spirit
led him to a group of mourning disciples in the town of Joppa. He might have
expected that the purpose for his visit was to offer comfort and lead them in
the burial of their beloved sister Tabitha. But God had much more in store. He
knows what we really need and He is sovereign over all the good and bad
circumstances of our lives… “And we know that for those who love God all
things work together for good, for those who are called according to his
purpose” (Romans 8:28). God is always eager to give us more than
we know to ask for… “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly
than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” (Ephesians
3:20). On this day, after Peter cleared the room and met with God in
prayer, the Lord led him to command Tabitha to return to this life. Next,
confronted with the testimony of this miracle, throughout Joppa… “many
believed in the Lord”, and many received new life in Christ. Today, the
Holy Spirit helps us see a great miracle that led to even greater miracles, as
we witness the faith that produces new life.
New life comes through faith in God. This
whole scene is a wonderful illustration of faith in God. Tabitha’s faith in God
was evident to all in her… “good works and acts of charity”. The
disciples’ faith in God compelled them to send for Peter, whose faith in God
led him to pray and respond to God’s instruction to command Tabitha to… “arise”.
The faith of each of these young disciples came together in this amazing event
and the result was new life for Tabitha and far beyond, new life in the
surrounding community as… “many believed in the Lord” and
received new life in Christ… “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does
not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12). Our best
witnessing efforts often come as our faith is tested and revealed to
unbelievers who are watching us. The Lord offers new life to the lost through us
as our faith in God is perfected in difficult circumstances.
New life comes through the faith of the
servant of God. Peter’s faith in God compelled him to change his plans and
travel to Joppa. It was becoming natural for him to pray and even more
comfortable for him to command a dead girl to rise. He had seen Jesus raise the
dead. Perhaps he remembered Jesus’ promise… “Truly, truly, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than
these will he do, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12). As we
serve Christ every day, we can anticipate great things as the Lord works through
our faith as His servants.
New life comes through faith in the servant
leader of God. There is one more revelation here. The disciples in Joppa
respected the leadership of Peter enough to call him to share in their mourning
over Tabitha. They obeyed his command to leave the room where she laid. The
Spirit exhorts us to trust God and submit to the spiritual leaders He places in
our lives… “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping
watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do
this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you” (Hebrews
13:17). When we trust God and have faith in the servant leaders who care
for us, God produces life for us and others through this holy relationship.
As we grow up into Christ, we can be an instrument of His life producing
power as we grow in…
The Faith that Produces New Life.
No comments:
Post a Comment