Devoted Dorcas Part 2

The following devotional is written by a fictitious character to illustrate common missteps in Bible study. You can find Part 1 of the Devoted Dorcas series in the Learning Discernment category on the blog. 

As you read this devotional, notice the instructions Quill gives before the Bible passage. Consider how the introduction and commentary use feelings or emotions to shape what we take away from the text. Pause to think through how Scripture is observed and interpreted in the devotional. Look for the main purpose of the text, and notice how—or if—Quill points us toward the gospel.

---

Devoted Dorcas Part 2
By Quill Meanwell

Today we will continue to learn from the story of Dorcas and Peter. As you read this passage again, imagine how you would feel if you were the widows, the disciples, and Peter. Be present with your feelings and allow the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with peace and light.


Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside, 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. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.
Acts 9:36-43

We are told about a woman named Tabitha, or Dorcas. We don’t learn much about her before tragedy hits. This was a sad time for the widows in Joppa. They were devastated by the loss of a loved one. What are memories of a friend or loved one that you treasure? Do you remember them for the ways they served others or for their personal successes? Often our obituaries are a resume of achievements. In our mourning we remember how they overcame obstacles and inspired us to achieve our goals. In contrast, the example of the weeping widows in Acts 9 reminds us to look back at how others have served well, rather than their personal successes. 

The disciples knew that Peter could help. They knew that he had healed others, so perhaps they thought that he could at least offer comfort and hope to Dorcas’ grieving friends. They didn’t waste time sending someone to find Peter. Is this our default response when we see someone grieving? Do we look for resources that can help them? Or do we offer a quick condolence and go on with our day? “Thoughts and prayers” are nice, but concrete action speaks louder. 

When we grieve, we can follow the example of the weeping widows and the determined disciples. ​

---

As the devotional begins, Quill asks us to consider how we would feel and expect a positive, harmonious result from our time spent studying the passage. Emotions are created by God; they are not inherently sinful. However, because of the effects of sin,  we need to be careful of putting too much emphasis on emotions for guiding our Scripture reading. We can use Scripture and prayer to guide our thoughts so that we then respond correctly with emotions and actions that glorify God. 

If we compare this Devoted Dorcas devotional to the first one, we see that Quill jumps quickly to application without any further observation or interpretation.  The feelings that have been stirred in us through the introductory comments lead Quill to draw out applications based on our empathy with the mourners in the story. The challenges Quill gives are valid ways to respond biblically to the death of a loved one. Unfortunately, this application pulls our focus away from the main intent of the passage. 

We notice that this devotional moves quickly to engage our emotions by talking about how we grieve. But Acts 9 does not present the widows primarily as a model for godly grieving. Rather, Luke records this miracle to highlight God’s power and the way it validates the gospel message that Peter and the disciples were spreading. 

Dorcas’s resurrection points beyond the story itself to the greater hope we have in Christ. We can take comfort in this truth, knowing the Christ defeated sin and death through his life, death, and resurrection. When we grieve, we do not grieve hope. Just as He used Peter to bring life and show His glory, we can live in hope, serve others, and rely on Him in every situation, knowing that His promises are true. 


But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ESV