A Life Well-Lived

               A woman named Dorcas scored a first in New Testament history, but it wasn’t anything that she did that made her historic.  It was the Apostle Peter who grabbed the limelight.

            The people of Joppa knew Dorcas as a disciple of Jesus.  She was also well-known for her acts of kindness, especially in helping the poor.  It’s no wonder then that the town’s people, especially the widows, were grief-stricken when she became sick and died.  Fortunately, the Christians in Joppa heard that Peter was in a nearby town, so they immediately sent for him. 

            When Peter arrived, he found the widows, all friends of Dorcas, surrounding her deathbed, crying over the loss of their friend.  They were eager to show him all the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made, but Peter had more important business to do.  He sent them all out of the room—which I’m sure was more upsetting to the friends.  Then, in the quiet of the room, with the lifeless body of Dorcas stretched out on the bed before him, he fell to his knees and prayed.  When his prayer was finished, he called her by her Aramaic name, “Tabitha, get up” (Acts 9: 40).  Miraculously, she opened her eyes and sat up.  I can’t begin to imagine the joy in that household, when he presented the living, breathing Dorcas to her friends and family. 

            Dorcas wasn’t the first person in Scripture to be raised from the dead, but she was the first to be raised by an Apostle.  That alone would mark her place in history.  However, the Scripture also tells us that once the word spread, people all over the city of Joppa came to believe in the Lord.  That’s the real victory!

            Dorcas’ fame did not end there.  In the 1800’s, many Dorcas Societies were created to provide clothing for the poor.  These groups followed in Dorcas’ footsteps by sewing and knitting to serve the poor in their communities.  A few of these groups still exist today. 

            The story of Dorcas also teaches us that the power of God is greater than any human being, even an Apostle.  Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter just by speaking (Luke 8:41 – 42 & 49 – 56).  Peter couldn’t raise Dorcas without praying first.  This is a subtle reminder to each of us that we should never think too highly of ourselves.  We have the Holy Spirit living within us, and it is only through His power that we can accomplish victories for the Lord.

            God also uses the story of Dorcas to remind us that even the most difficult situations can be used to spread the Gospel.  I’m sure no one in that household was concerned with evangelism that day, but because of the power of faith and prayer, God provided victory over death.  That victory did not go unnoticed, and the result was many saved souls.

            As I reflect on Dorcas’ life and death, I see two life lessons.  First, I need to make sure my priorities are focused on others and not on myself.  Second, God can use even my most difficult situations to influence others, but a lot will depend on how I face the difficulty.  Dorcas was just a simple woman who cared about others.  I pray that I can live a life worthy of her legacy.  The Scripture says she “was always doing good and helping the poor” (Acts 9: 36 NIV84).  That’s a life well-lived.

Acts 9: 36 - 43