In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.
Tabitha is a disciple whose reputation is known to us only by what others say about her. She doesn’t have any lines in this small story, and she doesn’t show up again in any of the other books of the New Testament. She is so unimportant that she is literally a corpse when Luke begins to write about her. Despite her insignificant role, Tabitha is known for being a disciple, for “doing good and helping the poor.” And it is that fact that makes Tabitha such a good role model for us as we strive to BE the Church. She may or may not have performed miracles or preached sermons or started new churches in Joppa, but Tabitha faithfully served Jesus. She was known primarily for what she did for others. May we be known for the same thing.
