Acts 9:36-43 (NRSV)
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Verse 36Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. Verse 37At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Verse 38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, "Please come to us without delay." Verse 39So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Verse 40Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, "Tabitha, get up." Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. Verse 41He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. Verse 42This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Verse 43Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.
Devotion
Luke has a recurring theme throughout his writings: Jesus turns everything upside down. Peter has been struggling with the appropriateness of a mission to the Gentiles. But now he has been called to the home of a faithful woman who has died. We don’t really know the expectations of those who called Peter; but certainly a resurrection is quite a surprise! Soon after, Peter ends up at the home of Simon, the tanner. Later in Acts 10, on the roof of this same Simon’s house, Peter has a vision that turns his life upside down.
The lead pastor of the congregation where I worship has a mantra that he repeats almost every Sunday prior to worship: "This is the perfect church for imperfect people. It matters not where you came from or where you are going; the color of the skin or the content of your heart; your sexual orientation or marital status; whether or not you went to Yale or just got out of jail: all are welcome in this place." These words serve as a vision and a challenge to all who gather in that place. It emanates from the one who turns everything upside down. It lets us know that nothing, including death itself, is able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Prayer
Come, Lord Jesus, and turn our lives upside down. Come, Lord Jesus, and turn our communities upside down. May we live as those who welcome all and proclaim your love and grace throughout the world. Amen.