The Widows' Dresses
Peter made sure to present Tabitha to the disciples of Joppa after her miracle, especially the widows.
The book of Acts chapter nine contains an account of the death of a follower of Jesus Christ named Tabitha (Dorcas in Greek) from the city of Joppa. Tabitha was an active servant of God. She was "always doing good and helping the poor." But one day, Tabitha got sick. This illness led to the woman's death, and the community of believers mourned.
The Apostle Peter was in the nearby town of Lydda. God had moved miraculously through Peter to heal a paralyzed man named Aeneas. The Apostle continued to preach and teach in the area following that miracle. The disciples in Joppa heard that Peter was near their city, so they sent word to the Apostle to come urgently because Tabitha had died.
When Peter arrives at the place where Tabitha was lying in preparation for burial, the Bible describes a beautiful scene. It says that he was surrounded by the widows. These were not widows looking for a husband. These were widows who had been ministered to by Tabitha. These women showed Peter the results of Tabitha's ministry to them. Women who were the lowest members of society proudly presented the dresses that Tabitha made for them.
How will your ministry to others be displayed after you expire? Who will come around to talk about and show the many blessings that your life bestowed on those around you? We should all live like Tabitha so that in the end, people will proclaim the good works that our lives produced. Let me know what you think in the comments below.
Well, that was not the end of Tabitha's ministry. Peter had everyone exit the room, and he knelt and prayed to God. Then he said, "Tabitha, get up." She did! After the miraculous resurrection, Peter helped Tabitha to her feet and presented her to the believers, especially the widows. Peter wanted to make sure those widows knew God was powerful enough to bring their blesser back to them. As if to say, "Tabitha gave you dresses. I give you Tabitha!" Peter stayed in Joppa a while and ministered the gospel within the community.