“In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated Dorcas).
She was always doing good works and acts of charity. About that time she became sick and died. After washing her, they placed her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him who urged him, “Don’t delay in coming with us.” Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him to the room upstairs. And all the widows approached him, weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. He called the saints and widows and presented her alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Peter stayed for some time in Joppa with Simon, a leather tanner.”
Acts 9:36-43 CSB
Reading this text I was hit by the weight of this verse:
Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, “Tabitha, get up.”
The context for this miracle of reviving a dead woman is incredible: The saints urged Peter to come quickly. To do what exactly? To see a dead body? To undo this cherished woman’s death! What an expectation to carry for 25 miles!! Imagine that 7-9 hour walk.
Dorcas clothed the widows and they were so proud and grateful for her that they showed Peter the outfits they had. In an interesting moment he sends everyone out of the room. He knelt, he prayed, he turned to Dorcas’ body and tells her to get up.
She was always doing good works and acts of charity. About that time she became sick and died. After washing her, they placed her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him who urged him, “Don’t delay in coming with us.” Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him to the room upstairs. And all the widows approached him, weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. He called the saints and widows and presented her alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Peter stayed for some time in Joppa with Simon, a leather tanner.”
Acts 9:36-43 CSB
Reading this text I was hit by the weight of this verse:
Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, “Tabitha, get up.”
The context for this miracle of reviving a dead woman is incredible: The saints urged Peter to come quickly. To do what exactly? To see a dead body? To undo this cherished woman’s death! What an expectation to carry for 25 miles!! Imagine that 7-9 hour walk.
Dorcas clothed the widows and they were so proud and grateful for her that they showed Peter the outfits they had. In an interesting moment he sends everyone out of the room. He knelt, he prayed, he turned to Dorcas’ body and tells her to get up.
I love that he knelt and prayed. The posture he has before doing something that is absolutely amazing is humble and submissive. I love that not only did one woman resume living, but that the LORD took the testimony to save even more people.
If I can put myself into this position and explore the motivation to put everyone out of the room I come up with a few personal characteristics.
- I'm a doubtful man. How would I have handled 7-9 hours of wrestling with the LORD what he would have me do. It’s gracious of God to give this lead time to his plan and expectations.
- I’m a fearful man. Carrying the expectations of others is daunting. Avoiding an audience would allow my frailty to be private.
- I’m an arrogant man. I would want to puff myself up. Asking the gathered, the audience, to disperse would keep me from arrogance or self reliance.
- I am a self important man. Peter doesn't call the whole town together to see what he was able to accomplish through Jesus. He hangs out with a leather tanner for a while.
Peter is at times incredibly relatable and then in situations like the above he towers as an example.