Inclusion

Here's this week's "Opening the Bible" post for i.ucc
++++++++++++++++++++++
This week’s Bible reading from Acts 9:36-43 tells about the resurrection of a woman named Tabitha – also called Dorcas. That’s a pretty big deal, but I see something beginning that may be bigger than her resurrection.

Dorcas was a woman who lived her life caring and giving to others. When she died, the disciples called for Peter, who prayed and called for her to get up. She did. People saw that she was alive and they believed.

So why do I say there is something beginning here that may be bigger than her resurrection? Because woven into this resurrection account is the reality of God’s radical and unexpected inclusion of people thought to be on the outside or unworthy of being God’s people.

Dorcas, a woman, is called a disciple. The term used is a feminine form of the Greek word for disciple. It doesn’t downgrade the word – Dorcas was a disciple – no less.
Then at the end of the account, Peter goes to live in the home of Simon, a tanner.Tanners worked with dead flesh. They were considered unclean and living outside of the law standards. Peter living in his home shows that those who the authorities called “unclean” were worthy of God’s unconditional love.

Women . . . Tanners . . . everyone is included. Is that bigger than Dorcas’ resurrection?