Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Friday, June 28, 2013 Read – Acts 9:36-43 The last story that Luke relates in his story of the mission of God’s people to the Jewish world is a peculiar and delightful story. Many have noticed that this story parallels a similar story in the gospels about Jesus healing the daughter of Jairus (Luke 8:40-56). In the story of Jairus’ daughter a desperate father sends for Jesus to help. Here those who love Dorcas send for Peter to help. In both cases by the time the helper arrives the person has died. There is weeping and wailing going on as Jesus and Peter arrive at the place of need. Just as Jesus put everyone outside, Peter puts everyone outside too. The words of Jesus to the child are “Talitha Cumi” and Peter’s words to Dorcas (her Aramaic name is Tabitha) are “Tabitha Cumi”. The dead person is restored to life and joyful celebration can begin. This story, like the story of the raising of Jairus’ daughter, may also have connections to similar stories about Elijah and Elisha each raising a widow’s son (1 Kings 17:17-24 and 2 Kings 4:32-37). All of these stories speak of the compassion of God for God’s people. The last thing this little story does is to move Peter to the home of Simon, a tanner, who lives in Joppa. It is from this location that a major watershed event unfolds.