Raising God's Worthy

Matthew 25: 31-46

Acts 9:36-43

 We learned of Peter’s call last week when Christ asked him to feed his lambs. The account of Tabitha coming back to life is one way Peter did so. Tabitha herself is said to be devoted to good works and charity. She also took care of Jesus sheep. She did so by making clothing for those in need. I think of Matthew 25 when it talks about the Son of Man coming in judgement. He honors those who clothed him along with giving him food and drink. When these honored folks ask, “When did we cloth you and give you food and drink Lord?” Jesus answers, “when you did it to the least of these you did so to me.”

 Tabitha would have been one of these honored ones since she clothed the needy. Due to the “hole” – lack of aide opened up at her death, disciples traveled to where Peter was and had him remedy the situation. What a difference we see in Peter here. He is full of the confidence of the Lord as he kneels down and prays. His faith in the power of God raises Tabitha from the dead. This miracle is said to cause many to believe in the Lord. Peter made sure that the glory went to the Lord not him.

 Tabitha is said to be a disciple, but her good works are not what society would praise or find important. But God found this saint important enough to keep on earth to keep giving to “the less of these,” and in turn was giving to the Lord. She seems to have been a great help to the widows who mourned her death. Again, people marginalized in society – the widow and the orphans, those without a spouse or parent- but Jesus claims these as important and gives honor to those who take care of them.

 This account in Acts is an example of how one serves Christ by serving others, not just the ones society finds important, but the marginalized – the poor, the widow, and the orphan. Of all the “big wigs” of society, God chose to bring back a lowly seamstress who not only clothed others but as Matthew 25 says, clothed the Lord also with her good deeds. May we strive to follow Tabitha’s example of service. 

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