Expect Life

Acts 9:36-43 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who 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 the believers and 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.
 
ACTS 9 begins with Jesus’ power coming to the violent Saul. Through Jesus’ power, Saul is born again into a new life to be the apostle Paul. We thank God he has determined to tell many, “Get up!” from sin’s death into an eternal living relationship with him.
   “Born again” is physical. As Acts 9 concludes, Jesus’ power works through Peter to resurrect Tabitha, a disciple. The Lord really does choose to resurrect some from physical death.
   Note Peter’s faith. He didn’t say a long prayer to exhort God to bring life into Tabitha’s dead body. He merely said, “Tabitha, get up.” This is a powerful faith command from heaven’s throne. Peter had listened to Jesus when Jesus said, “Lazarus come out.” (John 11:43) “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” (Mark 5:41) “Young man, I say to you, get up!” (Luke 7:14) God is life. With direct commands he has spoken, “Let there be…” into a void to create a glorious universe. Dying on the cross, Jesus spoke. “It is finished.” (John 19:30) to announce his mission on earth is done. God’s plan to raise the dead sinner into new life is now bearing fruit.
   We note the power of faith and hope in the church. This resurrection would not have happened if Tabitha’s friends had no hope of resurrection. They were Jesus’ disciples, and they believed in the power of the risen Christ. These believers had heard testimonies of Jesus’ life-giving, healing work and of Jesus’ resurrection. They believed his resurrection power would raise their friend. The people were faithful to seek Peter’s prayers. They were faithful to obey his instructions. Peter was faithful to seek God.
   He prayed. He spoke. The Lord replied. Tabitha opened her eyes as if from a  night’s sleep. Peter took her hand and helped her return to life.
          By faith, Peter stayed in Joppa to minister the gospel, prepared for the next new work God had planned for him. A living faith is expecting life from God.