Last week I got a blast from the past when I spotted a teen girl wearing a pink, plastic WWJD bracelet. For those of you with no gray hairs or wrinkles, let me explain. In the 1990s, many Christian teens sported bracelets stamped with the acronym for “What Would Jesus Do?” It was meant to be a reminder and declaration to live in ways that reflect the heart and actions of Jesus.
Regardless of how you feel about Christian slogans and accessories, we can agree that it’s good to learn from Jesus, right? Today’s passages present us with an intense WWJD moment for Peter. A beloved disciple of Jesus named Tabitha, an Aramaic name translated “Dorcas” in Greek, became sick and died. Her grieving friends sent for Peter, who was ministering in a nearby city. When Peter arrived, he approached Dorcas’s dead body. “He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, ‘Tabitha, get up’” (Acts 9:40). Miraculously, she did.
We’re reminded by today’s Mark 5 passage that this was not the first time Peter had seen the power of God restore life to a dead body. Years before Peter’s experience with Dorcas, Jesus specifically included him, along with James and John, when he took a dead girl by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you get up.” Miraculously, she did (Mark 5:41–42). Peter had a front row seat to this miracle; he saw with his own eyes what Jesus would do.
Surely Peter and the apostles were given an extraordinary calling to establish the early church and authenticate the gospel through signs and wonders accomplished by God’s power at work within them. Even though you and I do not physically walk and talk with the risen Jesus as they did, we have the biblical account of how Jesus lived and what He taught. We also have the presence and power of the Holy Spirit at work within us, illuminating every page of the Bible as a reminder and declaration to live in ways that reflect our Lord’s heart and actions.
In today’s supplemental reading we see Jesus being interrupted yet taking time to slow down and meet the needs of a stranger. We see Him engaging with those who are powerful and with those who are poor. We see Him cross cultural barriers by prioritizing girls and women who were sidelined in their communities. We see Him crossing religious barriers by touching a dead body and by allowing Himself to be touched by a bleeding woman. Jesus welcomed those considered untouchable by society, and He loved them to life. This is the example Peter followed, and the example we are called to follow as well.
As we like to say at She Reads Truth, keep opening your Bible. Learn what Jesus did, and follow His lead in loving people to life.
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48 thoughts on "Dorcas Restored to Life"
I love the phrase in today’s reading: “loving people to life.” ❤️
Jesus cares about our suffering ❤️
Amen!! I need my wwjd bracelet I’m gonna start rocking it!
Amen
Praying for your situation. My 81 yr old mom lives with my husband and me and at times it’s definitely challenging. My go to prayer is Lord I need Grace to make it❤️
The faith of the father and woman suffering inspire me. When I need to be made well (Mark 5:28) may I run to just a touch of Jesus. Sure, we can’t physically touch him but may His Presence be what I desire in my time of need!
“Love people to life.” I love this!
Praying for you, Kimberly Ferrugia.
Was listening to a podcast (Kelly Minter’s Cultivate… Episode 30). She had Amanda Bible Williams on. I was encouraged b/c Amanda was talking about taking time to study our Bibles and how hard it can be to fit it all in. It really helped me to know I’m not the only one who struggles!
I love how Patti put it, “Love them to life!” When we love like Jesus, we are loving them to Life – to Jesus!! When we love, we are guiding them to Jesus! Just like the Ethiopian eunuch asking Philip, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8:30) How can they understand, unless we teach and show them? People will pay attention, when they notice and see Jesus evidently found in our lives! They are longing to know the eternal hope we have because of Jesus!! They won’t know Jesus, unless we guide them to Jesus!!
It’s always great to be reminded of the miracles that can be done when we let Jesus use as as vessels. I love when people come together to worship Jesus. Imagine how much things would change if we would all do this.
I always loved reading the story of the woman with the ‘issue of blood’. I think it’s so beautiful. Her faith was so strong. I pray that our faith would be strong, like the faith of children- blind, and unquestioning, and to believe that just being in the presence of Jesus would be enough.
What a great reading tonight! Our Savior does amazing things!
Praying for you @kimberly that your panic attacks will stop
TRACI GENDRON, I hear, feel, and see you dear sister. …your post actually took me back to a song I used to listen to on repeat… Ordinary Miracles sung by Sarah McLachlan (written by Glen Ballard & Dave Stewart) I would encourage you to listen to it! We might not see the kinds of miracles (healings etc) we want to see everyday, but we are definitely surrounded by some pretty amazing & miraculous things!!! Sending you a great big (((hug))) surrounded by lots of love and prayers ❤️
Kimberly check out the book by j.p. Moreland ‘finding quiet’ my story of overcoming anxiety and the practices that brought peace. Praying for u. ❤️
I will, thank you so much for that! ❤️
I read a book recently – Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar. Though fictional, it takes a historical look at the woman in Mark 5 that bled for years. It was so interesting to get a glimpse of what her life would have been like and how difficult and lonely she would have been.
Traci, thank you for being honest about your feelings. God can handle whatever feelings you have; the important thing is you are still seeking after him. I will be praying for your son and for comfort for you during this time. I have a daughter, and I can’t even imagine what you are going through.
I love how God sees individual people and their needs. I pray I would follow his example and love people to life!
Foster Mama- I love that you stumbled upon Justin Bieber’s worship videos! I have never been a big fan of pop, but I’m especially interested in his transformation! It’s amazing to see someone that well known singing for Jesus! I pray he continues in Spirit and truth!
Traci- my heart breaks at your messages today. I am praying for you and your son to be so near to the Lord. It is hard to have faith in these situations. Words fail. I can not begin to understand all the feelings and thoughts of your hearts. May God bless you and keep you. May He show you His heart for this day by day. May you stay in faith. May your son have courage and a strong heart, as his days continue. God, please bring them close to You in this time of pain and confusion. May you pour out Your loving witness to them. May You be glorified in this heartbreaking process. Oh Lord , please guide them and protect them. Please heal, Oh God. In Jesus’s name.
I also ask for prayer this afternoon.
Not as severe as others… But I have been having very bad car trouble for almost two months straight. My car at the shop for weeks at a time. I had to have it towed again this morning. I’ve spent thousands already trying to fix it. I only make $9 plus little tips, and only part time am I employed. I just want prayers for faith and conclusion to this mess. I am constantly fighting these lies that I don’t deserve a car because I got myself into this mess. I shared my story a few weeks back…
But I know God is gracious. I know I am forgiven.
Thank you in advance ❤️
Angie, praying for you and all of those parents. May Jesus be glorified.
Good morning SRT ladies. Todays teaching brought up negative feelings for me. I know that seems odd, but why do we not see miracles today? So many young dying from illness. Believers that are dying that have strong faith. I think of my son in this instance. I have prayed and prayed for him. Yet I know his illness will take his life. I see the decline. I know I’m supposed to let God’s will be done, but it is so hard to watch this and remain strong in my faith. Can I ask for prayers for myself? I normally don’t do this, yet I feel I’m in great need. Thank you
ANGIE – I love how your are changing your focus on doing the teacher/parent conferences.
NANCY S – prayers today.
MAURA – Thank you for meeting with me Saturday!
It was so beautiful how he noticed and cared for women, dead bodies and blood. He really crossed boundaries and entered into our suffering. HE healed them!! This remind me of how 3 years ago, I was in New York State for thanksgiving and I pulled my ankle muscle badly, and it left me unable to walk well. We went to the Sunday service and the pastor welcomed anyone to come for prayer. My heart stopped in me and I wondered if God would have anything for me if I went. So my beau helped me to the pastor and he and another sweet lady prayed for me. My eyes filled with tears of emotion and doubt. I didn’t know if he would heal me. Suddenly, I lost balance and took a step…WITH THE INJURED LEG. It felt strong and soothed! We all laughed and hugged and thanked God for this. He really does heal, even now. I felt as if he was making me rise up and stand again. Talitha cumi always has special meaning for me.
People with so much faith. And so much love for their people.
Loving people… And for me it needs to start with my mother. My mom loves Jesus but living in the same household as a middle aged daughter has its challenges. Pray for me as I need to love her more and be patient. She’ll be 80 in April.
“…By means of your light we see light.” Psalm 36:9b.
Praying those around me today will see “The Light” in me and that will help lead them to life!
@Julia. Praying for Linda. @Nancy. Praying for Chris. ❤️
Hi Ladies,
It was recently Thanksgiving in Canada and I was cooking while listening to worship via YouTube…one video lead to another and there was Justin Bieber! I haven’t listened to much of his music over the years and, admittedly, have mostly dismissed him but KNOW he has a humungous number of fans (among them, someone I love who’s had a very hard childhood, now trying to raise her child alone, better than she herself was raised). The videos were of him singing worship and talking about how Christ has truly become his centre now (understanding now that it’s not enough to just believe Jesus died on the cross). We can never truly know anyone’s heart but,….I actually thought of Saul right away!! This Justin Bieber, who (I think) became popular doing a lot of “bad boy” things now supposedly Tweets to his bazillion followers about Jesus.
I didn’t wake up Thanksgiving morning expecting my “what are you thankful for” to include Justin…but it did :)
And then, soon after, we read about Saul’s conversion as a community.
You share s beautiful sentiment. Thank you for serving children and their parents! I believe you are making a difference in their lives.
ADRIANNE RICHARDSON, I do SRT daily on my phone through the website. I’m not sure what link you are referring to but, I read the 3-6 references at the top of the study and feel I am getting the WHOLE message!! I hope that helps ❤️ (I struggle with wanting to be perfect in certain areas but, am learning this isn’t always a spirit of diligence and can be from the enemy. Praying for you.)
So, so beautiful, ANGIE!
Praying for all the requests.
Thank you Lord, for “loving me to life” many years ago. Help me to extend your love to others in my sphere of influence. Praying for Linda, Julia Belo. I have a dear friend undergoing surgery today for a shattered ankle & would appreciate prayers for Chris. I am traveling with a daughter this weekend to a memorial service for a dear cousin & his wife-both unvaccinated & dead from Covid. Please pray for strength & safe travels, & comfort for all the family.
What a beautiful corollary, thank you Angie.
So good! When I read the Acts passage, it immediately made me think of when Jesus raised the little girl! So awesome to see Peter follow Jesus example, literally! I pray whenever I can, that I follow Jesus’ lead and love everyone not just in word but in deed!
Praying Julia for your friend Linda. May she feel God’s presence with her today during her doctor’s appointment and that she receives good news.
Good news with advice for life on this Monday….amen!
Sisters in Christ, I have a prayer request for my friend, Linda. She is meeting with her doctor today for a brain scan and ultrasound. Please lift her up in your hearts and prayers. May God bring comfort and peace to her today regardless of the results. Amen!
So many wonderful comments this morning! Thank you, especially Angie, Arina and Kelly. Angie, as the parent of a first grader I can relate to your comments and am praying for the teachers and students. I think this year is especially hard as we see the political power struggles and how they are impacting the physical and mental health of teachers and kids.
I love this phrase: “loving people to life.” Man. That’s what I want to do!
Father God please let me always remember You are in control and by the Blood of our mighty Lord Jesus Your power, presence and miracles surround me and our lives daily. Let me live as Jesus showed us. In Jesus name, Amen.
Jesus only did what he saw the Father do and only said what he heard the Father say. (John 5) Here in this reading you see Peter doing that too. He prayed (asking the Father) then said “Tabitha, get up”. I pray I live by that model of intimacy with the Father more.
Today and Wednesday we have parent/teacher conferences. As a young teacher I dreaded these days, as parents often came in tired and short-tempered (they hadn’t even seen the report card yet), but, thankfully they came. As a veteran teacher, and mother of adult children, it is different. I realize that parents come, weighted with the every day good/bad decisions they are making and pressures of life. They don’t mean to “shoot the messenger,” they are just overwhelmed. They need to be “loved to life, in the name of Jesus,” (that is what I will carry with me tonight as I meet with them). I do not look forward to teaching all day and then meeting 20 minutes each, back to back, without a break from 3-7 pm both days. I do appreciate, the opportunity to love like Jesus. I realize after years of teaching that this is about giving parents time to be heard, to question, and to learn about their child’s life, in the classroom. For some parents it is also a time for someone to care about them and remind them that they matter. I ask, Lord, that my attitude and actions will offer the love-to-life of Jesus to each parent and child. So many are like the woman with the issue of blood who have tried everything and it is getting worse. May they reach for, touch You and be healed. Amen.
Collin Ross (HRT) “Being a disciple is following Christ’s example through Christ’s power. We are a disciple when we do what Jesus did, relying on His power working through us. And just as it happened for Peter, the foundation of discipleship is an active relationship with Jesus. The more time we spend with Christ in His Word, in prayer, or serving alongside His Church, the more our lives and habits will align with His.”
Patti Sauls – “Jesus welcomed those considered untouchable by society, and He loved them to life.”
LOVED them to life
Hallelujah! Jesus empower me with Your love that brings life to the dead souls around me.
Love how Patti put it: ‘learn what Jesus did and follow His lead in loving people to life’…so good
@Arina, thank you for what you wrote. May God help us all to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and love others to life by the power of the Holy Spirit. Ame. Hope everyone is doing well and has a great day!
Healer, Lord, Savior!
People turning from dead to life. God has the power over sin and grave. I have witnessed it in my life, people dead in sin being raised to life. It’s what happened to me. Amd now I can go behind Jesus. Maybe not physically healing people or raising them from death, but reflecting His heart. Showing Hisvlove and compassion to those who do not yet know them, to those who are outsiders. Loving people to life.
Peter said ‘Tabitha get up’
Jesus said ‘Talitha Khoum’ Peter had witnessed this just years before. What would Jesus Do moment. Faith, intimacy with Heavenly Father, prayer and compassion. And this reveals Gods power which is the same spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is the power that lives in us.
Peter said ‘Tabitha get up’