Acts 9:36-43 & Psalm 23

On the fourth Sunday of Easter we come to the book of Acts where we see the church spreading like wildfire. The saints are moving as a community with conviction about the resurrection of Christ. The resurrection of Jesus Christ has set the Church ablaze. 

In a story that has til now been dominated by men, the introduction of Tabitha is noteworthy. She is introduced as a female disciple who is full of good works, helping the poor. Her life was mourned by those she touched. Dorcas' work among the widows of the community is didactic. (There are a lot of things to learn from this single lady!) Tabitha is a trend setter, ahead of her time, enterprising and merciful. But, tragedy strikes; she gets sick and dies.

The community calls for one of its leaders. He prays and like his Master Jesus, he calls her to come alive, “Tabitha, get up.” The female disciple who was dead is now alive. Tabitha’s resurrection is like a mini attraction, a trailer of a feature film that is coming. The resurrection of every believer living forever in the new heaven and new earth is the full length feature film that’s coming since Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead.

This is the story of every disciple of Jesus Christ. It will be our testimony, "I was dead, but now, in Jesus Christ, I am alive.”

This is the conviction David had in Psalm 23, before Christ rose from the dead, he said; "I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” 

The resurrection power of Christ is what gives us the confidence to be full of good works. The conviction that Jesus is alive gives us the security to break barriers of the times and go outside of the boundaries previously set, (Like Peter staying with Simon the tanner.), in order to call the dead to life. The work of the Church is like that of Peter’s; it is to pray and call to the Lord’s people, "Tabitha, get up.”