Dorcas
Stories
Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit
Series VI, Cycle C
Women have always been uniquely important in the life of the church, whether or not men want to admit it. It started with Mary. Women were accorded special status during Jesus' ministry; in fact, it was probably women who were major financial supporters of the itinerant rabbi and his friends. Women were the first witnesses to the resurrection. This is not a feminist statement but a factual statement: from the first day to this day, if it were not for the women, there would be no church. It is that simple.
Have there been any women important in your Christian experience? What's that? Foolish question, you say. I guess, but I can think of some. Mom -- it was at her urging that I knelt down by my bed one night at the age of seven and asked Jesus to be my Savior. There was Iris -- Iris was our youth leader, always there, dependable as the day is long. There is my wife, Christie, of course. Her love over this past quarter-century-plus has taught me what grace is all about -- she loves me no matter what. No, I cannot explain it, but no one can explain grace. There was Naomi in Fort Myers, Florida, a feisty eighty-year-old redhead who offered her preacher unfailing encouragement through difficult days. Speaking of feisty, I could never forget Mildred in Greensboro, North Carolina, who lived and breathed her church and would have eviscerated anyone who would do it harm. I also remember Judy, whose wonderful faith through some tough times was a beacon of inspiration to me. I could go on and on and on. So could you.
Needless to say, no one is especially startled at such statements these days, but they would have been almost scandalous in New Testament times. Women's place in society was not much more than property, and Jesus' willingness to speak to women in public and even include women in his entourage was just a bit outrageous.
Now we are introduced to another woman. A woman role model? What? Right. A woman role model. She must have been a special lady, this Tabitha -- Dorcas. I am not even sure if either of those was actually her given name, because both, in Aramaic or Greek, mean "Gazelle." A nickname? Was she swift? Fleet of foot? We have no idea. Perhaps the "gazelle" moniker applied because she was so quick to respond when someone needed help. "Always doing good and helping the poor" (Acts 9:36), says scripture. Good for her. A role model -- a woman!
Then, suddenly, she is gone. And the little congregation of First Church, Joppa, is devastated. They faced a task that none of them relished. Saints in the church and widows she had befriended made their way to her home. In the custom of the day, they washed her body and laid her in the upper room that was reached by the stairs outside the small house. Probably surrounded by the bolts of cloth, sewing needles, and thread of which she had made such loving use, Dorcas lay in state. The ceremonial ablutions and anointings complete, her friends stood around her and wept.
A funeral service? Of course. Wait! Word had come that one of the twelve, Peter, was only about ten miles away -- a preaching mission in the town of Lydda. What could be more fitting for the funeral of such an outstanding lady to have such an outstanding preacher! Two men were dispatched to request his presence. Whether the "big fisherman" had known of Dorcas before or was just now learning of her life and ministry, Peter did not hesitate to respond. This was one funeral any preacher worth his pulpit would be proud to handle. He dropped what he was doing and came right away.
As was the custom then (and is still today), the preacher was ushered in and found himself among family and friends. The lifeless body lay at the periphery, but the center of attention was life, her life. This was a time for remembering. Tear-stained faces would be forced into shy smiles as the memories would flood back. A kind word here, a generous gift there. As the text describes it, "All the widows stood around [Peter], crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them" (Acts 9:39).
That sharing is therapeutic. You see, those trips that we all take through that valley of dark shadows are made so much more bearable when we share the journey with caring friends. And know this, too: Preachers are grateful to be included in that sharing. It helps us personalize our remarks as we prepare for the funeral.
I am certain that Peter was grateful for the sharing. No doubt, he had been wondering what would be most appropriately said at the service. I doubt that he had too much experience with this sort of event at this point in his life. After all, his background was fishing, not funerals. He was old enough to have attended his share, but attending and officiating are not the same. What to do?
Should he read an appropriate scripture? Absolutely -- the shepherd's psalm is always a favorite: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want ... green pastures ... still waters ... Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me" (Psalm 23 cf). What a wonderful word of comfort in the midst of pain and distress! The passage speaking of preparing a table in the presence of enemies would lead perfectly into the theme of Peter's recent preaching, the terrible crucifixion and subsequent miraculous resurrection of Jesus. That could lead equally well into Jesus' promise that Peter had heard with his own ears: "Because I live, you also will live" (John 14:19). Here lay Dorcas, dead now, but still a child of Jesus' promise -- new life for her and all who believe. A glorious word of hope. A good funeral ... not simply focused on Joppa's loss, but rather on Dorcas' gain.
It was getting near time for the service now. Peter needed some quiet moments to finalize his thoughts. The scriptural account simply says that, after the friends and family had left, Peter knelt in prayer. Somehow, in the midst of that prayer, Peter got the message that there would not be a funeral here today. Instead, there would be something beyond anyone's imagining. Peter, "turning toward the dead woman ... said, 'Tabitha, get up.' She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up" (Acts 9:40). Wow!
Can you imagine what was going through Peter's mind? Yes, he had seen Jesus do miraculous things, even raise the dead. He had heard Jesus say that these same things would also be done by his disciples, and indeed Peter had been an instrument of miraculous healing. There was the lame man at the temple who had asked for alms, but instead of silver or gold had received the ability to walk. He had even been hauled before the authorities because of the healing (just as Jesus had been), but he was released when no charges were brought.
Now this! Wow!
No doubt that was a night of incredible celebration at First Church, Joppa. Dorcas' friends felt the exhilaration of Mary and Martha when Lazarus stumbled from the tomb. God granted to the widows of that seaside city an experience like the disciples had on Easter morning. Dorcas was alive!
What happened to her? We never hear of her again in scripture. I suspect that she continued her charitable works. Joppa would never NOT need help, for in this seaport lived many families who depended upon the sea for their living. Those who had faced the ravages of the winds and water, especially those widowed and orphaned, had known they could rely on the assistance of Dorcas when needed. Now they could again. Dorcas was alive.
History records that Joppa was an important city in the spread of Christianity. It was only about 35 miles northwest of Jerusalem, a seaport from which were launched trading vessels to every port in the known world. No doubt, the wonderful ministry of Dorcas became the subject of conversation, both on shore and in the ships -- her reputation became the reputation of her church. No wonder Christianity grew! Who would not want to be part of something as special, as loving, as caring, as that?
True, we never hear of Dorcas again in scripture, but we do hear more of Dorcas. This wonderful, kind lady has been memorialized in countless congregations where we find women's groups, charitable organizations, sewing circles, and the like all named Dorcas. What a tribute!
For what will you be remembered? Remember Dorcas. World-famous Dorcas. Famous for what? "Always doing good and helping the poor" (Acts 9:36), according to the Bible. You, too, can leave a legacy of Christian love.
Have there been any women important in your Christian experience? What's that? Foolish question, you say. I guess, but I can think of some. Mom -- it was at her urging that I knelt down by my bed one night at the age of seven and asked Jesus to be my Savior. There was Iris -- Iris was our youth leader, always there, dependable as the day is long. There is my wife, Christie, of course. Her love over this past quarter-century-plus has taught me what grace is all about -- she loves me no matter what. No, I cannot explain it, but no one can explain grace. There was Naomi in Fort Myers, Florida, a feisty eighty-year-old redhead who offered her preacher unfailing encouragement through difficult days. Speaking of feisty, I could never forget Mildred in Greensboro, North Carolina, who lived and breathed her church and would have eviscerated anyone who would do it harm. I also remember Judy, whose wonderful faith through some tough times was a beacon of inspiration to me. I could go on and on and on. So could you.
Needless to say, no one is especially startled at such statements these days, but they would have been almost scandalous in New Testament times. Women's place in society was not much more than property, and Jesus' willingness to speak to women in public and even include women in his entourage was just a bit outrageous.
Now we are introduced to another woman. A woman role model? What? Right. A woman role model. She must have been a special lady, this Tabitha -- Dorcas. I am not even sure if either of those was actually her given name, because both, in Aramaic or Greek, mean "Gazelle." A nickname? Was she swift? Fleet of foot? We have no idea. Perhaps the "gazelle" moniker applied because she was so quick to respond when someone needed help. "Always doing good and helping the poor" (Acts 9:36), says scripture. Good for her. A role model -- a woman!
Then, suddenly, she is gone. And the little congregation of First Church, Joppa, is devastated. They faced a task that none of them relished. Saints in the church and widows she had befriended made their way to her home. In the custom of the day, they washed her body and laid her in the upper room that was reached by the stairs outside the small house. Probably surrounded by the bolts of cloth, sewing needles, and thread of which she had made such loving use, Dorcas lay in state. The ceremonial ablutions and anointings complete, her friends stood around her and wept.
A funeral service? Of course. Wait! Word had come that one of the twelve, Peter, was only about ten miles away -- a preaching mission in the town of Lydda. What could be more fitting for the funeral of such an outstanding lady to have such an outstanding preacher! Two men were dispatched to request his presence. Whether the "big fisherman" had known of Dorcas before or was just now learning of her life and ministry, Peter did not hesitate to respond. This was one funeral any preacher worth his pulpit would be proud to handle. He dropped what he was doing and came right away.
As was the custom then (and is still today), the preacher was ushered in and found himself among family and friends. The lifeless body lay at the periphery, but the center of attention was life, her life. This was a time for remembering. Tear-stained faces would be forced into shy smiles as the memories would flood back. A kind word here, a generous gift there. As the text describes it, "All the widows stood around [Peter], crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them" (Acts 9:39).
That sharing is therapeutic. You see, those trips that we all take through that valley of dark shadows are made so much more bearable when we share the journey with caring friends. And know this, too: Preachers are grateful to be included in that sharing. It helps us personalize our remarks as we prepare for the funeral.
I am certain that Peter was grateful for the sharing. No doubt, he had been wondering what would be most appropriately said at the service. I doubt that he had too much experience with this sort of event at this point in his life. After all, his background was fishing, not funerals. He was old enough to have attended his share, but attending and officiating are not the same. What to do?
Should he read an appropriate scripture? Absolutely -- the shepherd's psalm is always a favorite: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want ... green pastures ... still waters ... Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me" (Psalm 23 cf). What a wonderful word of comfort in the midst of pain and distress! The passage speaking of preparing a table in the presence of enemies would lead perfectly into the theme of Peter's recent preaching, the terrible crucifixion and subsequent miraculous resurrection of Jesus. That could lead equally well into Jesus' promise that Peter had heard with his own ears: "Because I live, you also will live" (John 14:19). Here lay Dorcas, dead now, but still a child of Jesus' promise -- new life for her and all who believe. A glorious word of hope. A good funeral ... not simply focused on Joppa's loss, but rather on Dorcas' gain.
It was getting near time for the service now. Peter needed some quiet moments to finalize his thoughts. The scriptural account simply says that, after the friends and family had left, Peter knelt in prayer. Somehow, in the midst of that prayer, Peter got the message that there would not be a funeral here today. Instead, there would be something beyond anyone's imagining. Peter, "turning toward the dead woman ... said, 'Tabitha, get up.' She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up" (Acts 9:40). Wow!
Can you imagine what was going through Peter's mind? Yes, he had seen Jesus do miraculous things, even raise the dead. He had heard Jesus say that these same things would also be done by his disciples, and indeed Peter had been an instrument of miraculous healing. There was the lame man at the temple who had asked for alms, but instead of silver or gold had received the ability to walk. He had even been hauled before the authorities because of the healing (just as Jesus had been), but he was released when no charges were brought.
Now this! Wow!
No doubt that was a night of incredible celebration at First Church, Joppa. Dorcas' friends felt the exhilaration of Mary and Martha when Lazarus stumbled from the tomb. God granted to the widows of that seaside city an experience like the disciples had on Easter morning. Dorcas was alive!
What happened to her? We never hear of her again in scripture. I suspect that she continued her charitable works. Joppa would never NOT need help, for in this seaport lived many families who depended upon the sea for their living. Those who had faced the ravages of the winds and water, especially those widowed and orphaned, had known they could rely on the assistance of Dorcas when needed. Now they could again. Dorcas was alive.
History records that Joppa was an important city in the spread of Christianity. It was only about 35 miles northwest of Jerusalem, a seaport from which were launched trading vessels to every port in the known world. No doubt, the wonderful ministry of Dorcas became the subject of conversation, both on shore and in the ships -- her reputation became the reputation of her church. No wonder Christianity grew! Who would not want to be part of something as special, as loving, as caring, as that?
True, we never hear of Dorcas again in scripture, but we do hear more of Dorcas. This wonderful, kind lady has been memorialized in countless congregations where we find women's groups, charitable organizations, sewing circles, and the like all named Dorcas. What a tribute!
For what will you be remembered? Remember Dorcas. World-famous Dorcas. Famous for what? "Always doing good and helping the poor" (Acts 9:36), according to the Bible. You, too, can leave a legacy of Christian love.
