Those Who Will Never Be Forgotten

 

In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria grew tired of court life and the pressures of being a monarch. He made application at a local monastery, asking to be accepted as a monk and spend the rest of his life in the monastery. “Your Majesty,” said the leader, “do you understand that the pledge here is one of obedience? That will be hard because you have been a king.”

 “I understand,” said Henry. “The rest of my life I will be obedient to you, as Christ leads you.” “Then I will tell you what to do,” said the leader. “Go back to your throne and serve faithfully in the place where God has put you.” The King went back and bloomed where he was planted. When he died, a statement was written: “The King learned to rule by being obedient.”

Acts 9:36-38 says, “ In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

Dorcas was a believer; she is called a disciple. Most likely she had been won to Christ by Philip when he passed through Joppa after ministering to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:40). Dorcas was exemplifying the love of Christ in her everyday life. She was always doing good and helping the poor.  In the seaport town of Joppa she was well known for her acts of kindness.

It’s amazing that Dorcas is the only woman in the New Testament explicitly identified as a disciple. She stood out as a very faithful follower of Jesus. She was so devoted that the disciple description is used to define her. A disciple was a learner, a follower and one who was determined to be like his teacher. Luke 6:40 says, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.”

Her name means Gazelle or Antelope and these animals are characterized by grace and charm. Together these two words describe someone who is socially at ease, blending inner goodness with outward attractiveness. Dorcas was not only a beautiful person on the inside but what she did made her beautiful. Paul wrote “I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and … by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness” (1Tim.2:9-10).

Dorcas was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did (Acts 9:36 NASB). She was full of grace and ministered in selfless love; her inward grace prompted the outward deeds. Her deeds gave evidence of the genuineness of her conversion. She was a true disciple of Christ and she proved it by her good works.  A true Christian will have good works naturally flowing from his life.

In James 2:14-17 we are told, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?  If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead”.

The needs of people not only moved Dorcas; she moved in response to the needs she saw. People knew that her good works were motivated by her love for her Lord.  She was quick to respond when someone needed help. She was a devoted disciple who used her gifts and abilities to “adorn the doctrine of God in every respect” (Titus 2:10). The gospel always brings a social awareness for the needy.

Dorcas became sick and died. Her beautiful life was seemingly cut short and her service was brought to an abrupt end. Why didn’t God keep her alive to care for the widows? Great ministers are sometimes taken away unexpectedly. But, before God success does not depend on the duration of one's life. God does not make any mistakes; he knows what he is doing even when we don’t.

When Jesus got the message that Lazarus was sick he said “this sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory”(John 11:4). Jesus knew about the sickness and how it would end even before it struck. By God’s providence Peter was about ten miles away in Lydda when Dorcas died. God had a purpose for her death and he brought Peter near so that he could accomplish his purpose.

When Peter got the message he arose and went with the two people to Joppa. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them (Acts 9:39). The widows did not just say a good word about Dorcas, they put Tabitha’s deeds on display. The person who is mostly missed is the loving friend who is there for you in good and in bad times.

Peter put them all out and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up (Acts 9:40-41). Peter had seen Jesus raising Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:35-42). He followed the example of Jesus. The only difference is that Jesus spoke in his own authority while Peter humbly knelt down and prayed, depending totally on God’s power to do what only God can do.

It’s possible this was not the greatest day for Dorcas. She was called back from the dead and she had already taken a peaceful rest. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, they rest from their labor" (Rev. 14:13). "Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death" (Isa. 57:2). Death is not the worst thing that can come to a Christian. To fall asleep in Jesus is one of the most blessed events in the Christians’ life. The dead would rather be allowed to enjoy the peaceful rest.

It is not God’s purpose to raise the dead now; He will raise them all one day (Dan.12:2; Rev.20:12-13). He raised a few to prove to the world that He lives and that He has power to raise the dead whenever He shall choose to do so.  Death is not the end, the dead will rise again. There are many things concerning death which we are unable to explain and yet we are told enough to comfort us and to keep our hope alive.

Dorcas faithfully played her role in spreading the gospel . Because of her loving heart and willing hands, Peter had been urged to come to Joppa. Had she not lived well and touched many lives, Peter would not have been called to raise her from the dead. This miracle “became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord” (Acts 9:42). The miracle had its part, and so had the good deeds of a godly woman, in drawing men to Christ. Salvation of a sinner is a greater and more valuable miracle than the resurrection of a physical body that will die again.

Why was Dorcas raised from the dead while Stephen was not?  He was publicly martyred for his faith in Jerusalem and it seems that it would have been incredibly powerful if he had been brought back to life in a very public way in the capital city.  But he wasn't and yet here’s a quiet woman raised to life in a private upper room in a small town.  The fact that the Lord raised Dorcas, yet Stephen remained dead, reflects on God’s unknowable ways (John 13:7).

The example of Dorcas in the history of the early church has much to teach the present day church on how to do works of charity. There are still people who need help. Jesus said “the poor you will always have with you and you can help them any time you want” (Mark 14:7). We should use the gifts which God gives us as Dorcas did. The exemplification of a practical Christian life and faith is always needed and it always has its effect upon the world.

Some churches downplay the social aspect which is a mistake. Dorcas bloomed where she was planted.  Her needle was as noble as Moses' rod (Exodus 4:2) for it was her answer to the Lord's question “What is that in your hand?" Dorcas did not do anything heroic like Deborah or risky like Rahab. She simply served her Savior by ministering to the marginalized. She is the model of a devoted disciple who does good deeds in quiet, sacrificial and unassuming ways.

We do not know anything Dorcas said but we know about what she did. We have no record of her words but we do know about her work. When compared to the gifts of Peter, her gift seems so insignificant.  Peter could preach, teach, lead, heal and even raise the dead. Dorcas probably never spoke at a public gathering or taught Bible at a home church. Yet, her gift was as important to the body of Christ as was Peter's gifts.

God does not want compassion to die in the church! The true measure of our effectiveness as a church is not defined by what happens “in here” but by what happens “out there.”  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). Jesus gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works (Titus 2:13-14). 

Maybe God has given you a special ability to serve; you quietly and privately practice acts of kindness. You notice needs that others do not even see and you find joy in meeting them. This is one of the most important evangelistic methods because service-style evangelists touch people nobody else can reach.  Love is a very strong force and a helping hand can soften a hardened heart.  Francis of Assisi said, “at all times preach the gospel. When necessary, use words.”

God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister…show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end (Heb.6:10-12). Whenever you have an opportunity, do good to all people especially the believers (Gal. 6:10).  Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is no working (Ecc.9:10). And even a cup of cold water, given to the least if the disciples will certainly be rewarded (Matt.10:42).   

If for any reason you leave your workplace, estate or family, will you be missed or your absence will not even be noticed? Every man wonders what they will be remembered about when they are gone; Or if they will be remembered at all. Absalom build a memorial monument for himself (2 Samuel 18:18). If you want to build a monument for yourself, build it in the hearts of men.If you want to be remembered when you are gone, abound in works of kindness. The name written on the stone is cold and unattractive, but the name which is indelibly impressed upon immortal souls will live forever.