Luke the physician wrote, “there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was near to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up”, and in chapter nine and verse forty-one of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter, “gave her his hand and lifter her up, and … presented her alive” where we read:
And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up,
and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
The verse begins, “And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, ...” Luke began with the words, “and he gave her his hand” which means “and Peter extended to Dorcas his physical hand”, “and lifted her up” or “and raised Dorcas up”. Luke shared how “Peter” took “Dorcas” by her hand and raise her to a standing position.
The verse goes on to say, “... and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.” Luke continued with the words, “and when he had called the saints” which means “and at the time and moment Peter beckoned, summoned and invited the sacred, pure, morally blameless and religiously and ceremonially consecrated disciples” “and widows” or “and the women who were married but whose husbands' died”, “presented her alive” which means “showed and exhibited Dorcas breathing, living, active, efficacious and full of vigor”. Luke shared how “Peter” summoned the “disciples of Jesus” and the “widows” and showed them how “Dorcas” was among the living again.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Peter” not only extended his hand to “Dorcas” to lift her up, but also showed the “saints and widows” who called for him that she was living and breathing again. God performed a miracle through “Peter”, and the Heavenly Father's work was on display before the ones who called for him. God loves people, and He is concerned for the “physical and eternal” state of every person. Everyone who yields their life to His Son Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with Him, and that is the greatest miracle of all. When God performs a wonder in the natural world, everyone who observes it should realize it points to the “eternal God” who desires to forgive their sins and live with them forever.
Next time Luke shares how, “it was known throughout all Joppa”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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