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THE POWER OF GOODNESS AND COMPASSION

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is calledDorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass

in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in anupper chamber. 38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that

Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come tothem. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the

upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garmentswhich Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down,

and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and whenshe saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave herhis hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called

the saints and widows, presented her alive. 42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and manybelieved in the Lord. Acts 9:36-42 (KJV)

Goodness in our society

The matter of goodness is not often given high priority in a materialistically driven society as

ours. Many times people who strive for goodness and compassion are considered eccentric and

odd because they seem to take a path that is different from the ordinary. Sometimes they are

impugned motives that they do not possess. So many people do not strive to attain either

goodness or compassion.

Goodness results for the operation of the Spirit in the heart. Gal 5:22, 23 But the fruit of the

Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Goodness is not based on feeling. It is based on a deep conviction that ones life has greater

purpose when it is devoted to the wellbeing of others. But goodness does not stand by itself. It is

balanced by compassion. Hubert Humphrey says that Compassion is not weakness, and concern

for the unfortunate is not socialism.

Manifestations of goodness

Let us look at the text. 36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by

interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did

Dorcas exercised compassion to the poor and needy in her community. There was nothing she

possessed that she was not willing to share.

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The text says she was full of good works and almsdeeds. All around Dorcas was the evidence of

goodness and compassion. People came from everywhere to receive help from her. The Bible

does not say she was rich. In fact she would have had to use up all the resources she possessed to

do all the things that she did. Yet this woman of God was committed to go the extra mile to make

things happen.

. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed,

they laid her in an upper chamber. Much is not spoken about the illness of Dorcas. But the

brevity of this statement suggests that she was not sick for a long time. The suddenness of her

death left a tide of grief and pain. The recipients of her ministry were people who were facing

overwhelming odds- widows. She herself might have been a widow and the fact that she gave so

much, was not an indication of a large resource base, but evidence of her resourcefulness that

had been felt far and wide. This crisis brought her project to a standstill and solutions were

sought to bring and end to this catastrophe.

A cry for help

38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there,

they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

The question we raise is this. Was Peter called to advise them of the next step they should take?

Would his presence bring the comfort that was so urgently needed? Was he required to perform

some miracle that would resolve the situation? When we are in trouble on whom should we call?

The answer is simple. We should call Jesus. Peter was a disciple of Jesus and Jesus had said his

disciples would do even greater works than He did. Could it be that Peter would bring the good

news they were looking for?

When Peter was called he responded immediately. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them.

When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him

weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

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Peter was ushered into the upper chamber where Dorcas was laid. The scene was somber.

Women were crying at the top of their voices. They showed the work that Dorcas had done and

broke down weeping. Notice that no one asked Peter for a miracle. But they believed that Jesus

could work a miracle through him.

40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said,

Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. Peter was

continuing the work that Jesus started. He followed the example of Jesus. He prayed. But I want

you to observe with me that Peter kneeled down in the presence of His Lord.

Inspiration for goodness

Jesus on the other hand always looked up to His father in heaven when He prayed. Gethsemane

made the difference. Jesus was to die as man because God cannot die. In Gethsemane he bowed

to the ground as man. As man he would face the ridicule of the crowd. As man He would endure

their mocking. As man He would endure their scorn. As man he would carry the cross they laid

upon Him as man He would climb the hill called Calvary. As man He would cry out to His

Father. As man he would commend His mother to John. As man He would die and He would

remain both God and man forever.

At the end of His prayer peter turned to the body and said Tabitha, arise. What did she do? She

opened her eyes: And when she saw it was Peter she sat up. Peter became a channel of life.

41 And he gave herhis hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows,

presented her alive. 42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

Can you trust Jesus? Yes you can. Jesus has the answer to every question. He has the solution to

every problem. He has the remedy for every sickness. He has the key for every puzzle. He has

the map for every journey. He has enough grace for everybody. He has forgiveness for every sin.

He offers light for the darkness. He offers sunshine for the rain. He offers joy for sorrow. He

offers healing for pain. He offers strength for weakness. He offers life for death.

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Can you trust Jesus? Yes you can.

1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep,

that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep inJesus will God bring with him.1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive andremain

unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the

archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive andremain shall be caught up together with them in the

clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The source of goodness is the Son of God. His example is the best we have of what it means to

be good. He gave all. He gave his life.