November 26, 2010

There is No Such Thing as a Small Errand in the Kingdom of God“
Acts 9:32-43

Meanwhile, Peter traveled to Lydda. 33 There he met Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up, and roll up your sleeping mat!” And he was healed instantly. 35 Then the whole population of Lydda and Sharon saw Aeneas walking around, and they turned to the Lord.

“There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. She became ill and died. As soon as Peter arrived he went to the upstairs room filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them.

Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! 41 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. 42 The news spread through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed a long time in Joppa, living with Simon, a tanner of hides. Acts 9:32-43

Pastor's Blog

Luke takes us from the earth shattering, history changing conversion of Paul to the upstairs room of a poor home filled with the knitting and sewing that had occupied the good lady who had just died.

If all we knew about Peter was that he healed a disabled man and had raised Dorcas from the dead, that would be enough. Individual hurting people are noticed by God. Their plight matters to Him. Peter was a mediator of God’s love to the “least” among us.

Dorcas was an unsung hero of the faith and Luke makes sure she makes it into his story. Peter noticed her, God noticed her and Luke noticed her enough to highlight her in his story.

Luke makes the point well: There is no such thing as a small errand in the Kingdom of God.