Known Throughout Joppa - Acts 9:42

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 he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive”, and in chapter nine and verse forty-two of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “it was known throughout all Joppa” where we read:

And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

The verse begins, “And it was known throughout all Joppa;” Luke began with the words, “and it was known” which means “and the raising from the dead of Dorcas was perceived, notice, discovered and discerned” “throughout all Joppa” or “within each, every, the whole and everywhere within Joppa or Japho whose name means beautiful and was a city of Palestine on the Mediterranean, lying on the border of the tribes of Dan and Ephraim”. Luke shared how the miracle performed upon Dorcas was realized by everyone within the city of “Joppa”.

The verse continues, “and many believed in the Lord.” Luke added the words, “and many believed” which means “and a lot, numerous and abundant number of people trusted in, relied upon and clung” “in the Lord” or “to the One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah”. Luke shared how a great number more people trusted in, relied upon and clung to Jesus.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn about the “spiritual effect” that occurred because “Dorcas” was raised from the dead. This aligns with the purpose of God who desires to “save” every person from the penalty for sins which is “death”, and anyone who yields their life to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with Him. Those who are wise will see not only the physical benefit to the miracle performed upon “Dorcas”, but also the “spiritual” effect which enabled many more people to believe and trust in Jesus.

Next time Luke shares how Peter, “tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner”, 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".