Fourth Sunday of Easter 2019

Lectionary reading: Acts 9:36-43

As the risen Jesus lives his life in and through us, the body of Christ is meant to move, listen, share, care, and learn. And so, as we continue our journey through the Book of Acts—the continuation of Luke’s account of what Jesus is doing in the world—we do well to read the story through these five aspects of Jesus’ life and mission. When I read the Bible, I ask the following five questions:

First, how does this passage move the story on? Well, this passage moves the story on in two ways. Last week, we fund ourselves in Damascus, at the convergence of the Silk Road to China and the Spice Road to India. The launch-pad for carrying the good news of Jesus, east. And now, today, we find ourselves in the port of Joppa, another launch-pad, this time west around the Mediterranean, as far as Spain. The story is moving, geographically. But it is also crossing cultural boundaries. Today’s story concerns a woman known by name in two languages, Hebrew and Greek. Known, by name, in two communities. Now, these communities lived side-by-side, and interacted on a daily basis. But a point is made of telling us that this woman is known by name by both communities, in their own language. A Jewish woman whose Gentile neighbours have given her a name among them. She is a bridge between two worlds; and, as we continue the story, we will see that she brings Peter a step closer to discovering that Jesus was calling the gentiles into the kingdom of God...

Second, in this passage, who speaks—and who listens? Well, Tabitha’s friends speak of her, to Peter; and Peter listens. He is moved by their loss. And Peter speaks; and Tabitha listens, she hears and responds, even though she was dead. Now, everyone dies; and only a few are brought back, only a few must die more than once. This is not the norm; but it is given in order to reveal that Jesus is Lord of the living and the dead, and that death itself must bow before him. Death has its say, but it does not get to have the final word.

Third, is there any good news to share? Well, yes. There is the raising of Tabitha—and as that good news is shared, many come to faith. But there is also the good news of her faithful life, the grace-filled way she blessed her community. There is plenty of good news in this passage.

Fourth, a question of care: how is the community nurtured? Well, it is built up as many people come to believe in the Lord.

And fifth, a question of learning: how does this passage connect with what we already know? Well, in the first book of Luke’s Gospel, we see Jesus raising the dead son of a widow in Nain (Luke 7) and the dead daughter of a leader of the synagogue in Capernaum (Luke 8). Peter raising Tabitha closely parallels this account. It is clear that he has observed what Jesus had done in just such a situation, and was learning to be Jesus in the situation he found himself.

Which brings us to this statement by the late American philosopher, Dallas Willard:

‘Discipleship is the process of becoming who Jesus would be if he were you.’

Discipleship is the process of becoming who Jesus would be if he were you. That is what we are called to. So, what might this passage have to say to us about that?

Well, it is clearly a passage about raising up. But we will probably resonate with that in different ways. Which, I wonder, do you most resonate with?

Firstly, raising up women in the community. There is a clear body of evidence from around the world that when we raise up women—who make up half of humanity, and half of the body of Christ—their whole community benefits. Whereas, where only men are raised up, they tend, consistently, to keep any benefit within a small group of similarly privileged men. Sadly, this is often also true in the church, where men are more visible and more vocal—and will fight for what they perceive they have to lose. But there is nothing to lose when all God’s children get to play.

Secondly, raising up cross-community peacemakers. Tabitha, also known as Dorcas. We live in a pluralistic society and a multi-ethnic neighbourhood; a community that is very different from when housing first expanded into this area. And we live in very divisive times; and with a strong urge to return to a rose-tinted past. How might we, in our eightieth year, best play our part in supporting the community as it is, and as is emerging? Which voices from the margins do we need to quieten ourselves in order to hear?

Thirdly, raising up the spiritually dead. Unless you are a first-aider, a paramedic, nurse, or doctor, you might never bring someone back to life, physically. But there are plenty of people who can testify that the circumstances of their lives had left them dead on the inside; and that Jesus has brought them back to life, in a beautiful way. Perhaps you’ve known that. Perhaps you’ve been instrumental in that. Perhaps you long to be.

Fourthly, raising up graceful lives. Tabitha, Dorcas, means gazelle; or, figuratively, graceful. And she certainly lived-into the calling conferred upon her. There is something beautiful about the way in which she set about blessing her communities. While others sang her praises, she clearly didn’t demand such attention or gratitude: such people might be admired, but aren’t loved the way she clearly was. This is a matter of character, shaped by the Holy Spirit, as she chose to partner with God, to be formed. To die to self and be raised to new life in Jesus, as Jesus lived his life through hers.

Fifthly, raising up purposeful skills. Tabitha had skill as a seamstress, and put it to good use. Whatever natural ability she had, she must have invested in it to become so proficient; and it is easy to imagine others coming to her when they ran into difficulty, for her to show them what they were getting wrong, and what they needed to do to get it right. What skills do you have? What purpose are you putting them to? And, given that one day we will all die, who are you passing them on to? It is always quicker and easier to do the job ourselves; but that is how skills die with us.