There was a believer in Joppa named Dorcas. She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor… she became ill and died… the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, “Please come as soon as possible!”
So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them.
But Peter asked the widows to leave the room… and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive. Acts 9:36-41, NRSV.
A little community of believers in Joppa, 40 miles northwest of Jerusalem had a group of poor widows that were being served by a lady named Dorcas. She was famous for the good and generous works she did on behalf of the poor, including making them clothing.
However, Dorcas became ill and died as a result, Mourners gathered at her house, where he body would have been. You can see the tender love the mourners had for Dorcas in the way that they washed her body and prepared it for burial.
The impact of this one woman on the Joppa community was great, and the mourners were beginning to think about how their lives would be different because of the loss. Anytime a group loses a member like Dorcas, it’s not unusual for them to mourn. Loss of a favorite teacher, or a strong and generous community leader, a beloved family member, and the list could go on.
One might ask, “How can we receive comfort when such a person dies?” It’s probably in the fact that in spite of the death, the deceased person’s influence (call it presence) continues to be felt as it inspires imitation of her/his life. Comfort comes when someone else takes up the work left behind. Comfort from the deepening of relationships, of shared grief, and prayer.
Peter told the Corinthian church that God is the ultimate source of comfort, and that “God comforts us so that we can comfort others,” 2 Corinthians 1:3,4. The room where Dorcas body lay was a living example of the comfort of which Paul spoke. Imagine the widows proudly holding up or modeling things that Dorcas had made for them. Imagine them talking about how Dorcas’ death would change them and inspire them to live in a Godlike way.
The death of Dorcas was rescinded by Peter’s healing power. Nevertheless, comfort was present in the room beforehand. In the shared tears, in the encouraging conversation, and the embodied faith of the ladies.
Death does not have the final say in the life of a Jesus followers. Divine comfort assuages the bitterness of loss. Supportive community lifts up its members and empowers them to live in faithful ways.
Prayer:
Jesus, you said that comfort is a companion to mourning in the life of your saints. That comfort comes principally in the ministrations of fellow Jesus followers. May we also be the sort of people who carry comfort to others who are in distress. And may we get a glimpse of what awaits us in your kingdom when it comes. In Jesus’ name. Amen.