Acts of Dorcas: From Kindness to Resurrection

Author: Pastor Darren DeLoach

Acts 9:36—Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.

In the pages of the New Testament’s Book of Acts, an inspiring tale of compassion unfolds through the life of Dorcas, a resident of the city of Joppa. Found in Acts 9:36-42, her story vividly illustrates the profound compassion she demonstrated and, in turn, received.

Dorcas, identified as a devoted disciple, consistently exhibited kindness and charity, with a particular focus on aiding widows. A skilled seamstress, she crafted clothing for those in need, offering her services selflessly and without charge. However, the course of her benevolent life took an unexpected turn when illness struck, ultimately leading to her demise. Adhering to the customs of the time, her body underwent the ritual of preparation for burial. Distraught widows and others who had benefited from Dorcas’ generosity sought the intervention of Peter, a disciple of Jesus renowned for his ability to heal through prayer.

Upon Peter’s arrival, he ushered everyone out of the room where Dorcas lay lifeless. Kneeling down in prayer, he spoke directly to her in her Aramaic Hebrew name, saying, “Tabitha, arise.” The scripture vividly captures the miraculous outcome, stating, “. . . she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.” The woman who had tirelessly shown boundless compassion to others now found herself the recipient of compassion through the restoration of her own life.

The profound impact of this miraculous event reverberated throughout Dorcas’ community, leading many to embrace faith in the Lord Jesus.

Dorcas’ life serves as a poignant reminder that authentic compassion necessitates a deliberate choice to prioritize the needs of others over one’s own concerns. Her unwavering commitment to helping widows and the less fortunate underscores that she was not too preoccupied with her own affairs to extend a helping hand. Evidently, she invested significant time in communal fellowship, gaining an acute awareness of the diverse needs around her. The “I will” statements provided offer a practical guide for expressing compassion to neighbors:

1. I will stop to help.

2. I will listen when others want to talk.

3. I will give of my resources to help those in need.

4. I will look for lasting solutions.

While the precise number of individuals Dorcas assisted remains unknown, the account in Acts 9 strongly implies a multitude. The lesson derived from Dorcas’ life encourages starting small by praying about showing compassion to just one person each week.

Even if immediate needs are not apparent, spending time with neighbors or being part of a small group can reveal opportunities to practice compassion. Adhering to the “I will” statements, particularly the act of listening when others talk, may lead to encounters where your compassion becomes a beacon in someone’s life.

Reflection

How can we emulate Dorcas’s selfless acts in our own communities today?