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”, and in chapter nine and verse thirty-nine of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter was brought, “into the upper chambers” where we read:
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.
The verse begins, “Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber:” Luke began with the words, “then Peter arose” which means “at that time Peter whose name means a little rock or stone and was one of Jesus' disciples” “and went with them” or “and departed and left with the two disciples sent from Lydda”. “When he was come” which means “at the time and moment Peter arrived”, “they brought him into the upper chamber” or “the disciples of Jesus in Lydda carried and brought forth Peter to the highest room in the house”. Luke shared how “Peter” went to “Lydda” with the two disciples sent to him, and after he arrived at the home where “Dorcas'” body lie, he was led to the “upper room” where they placed her.
The verse goes on to say, “and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.” Luke continued with the words, “and all the widows stood by him” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the women who were married but whose husbands passed away”, “weeping and showing the coats” or “crying, lamenting, bewailing and mourning while exhibiting, displaying and bringing forth the tunics, undergarments and vestments to view” “and garments” which means “and cloaks, mantles and upper garments” “which Dorcas made” or “that Dorcas, whose name means gazelle, produced, constructed and prepared”, “while she was with them” which means “during the time that Dorcas was among the fellow disciples of Jesus in Lydda”. Luke shared how “widows” who were mourning and crying displayed the clothes “Dorcas” made during the time she was among them.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Peter” complied with the two disciples sent from “Lydda” as he went to the house where “Dorcas'” body was laid. He was led to the upper room, and the “widows” were “mourning and crying” as they showed him all the clothing “Dorcas” fashioned and made as she was with them. “Dorcas” served others by making garments, and her compassionate influence among the other “widows” was known as well. God loves people, and when they submit to His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and equip them to minister to others with their gifts. Those who are wise will yield themselves to Jesus and trust Him to provide them with abilities to share with others.
Next time Luke shares how, “Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed”, 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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