I’m reading Acts right now, and the lesson I’m learning is that sometimes, what the disciples do in Acts has great precedence. Let me explain…
Flashback in Luke:
While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” 50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.”51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. 52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Luke 8:49-55
Summary: Jesus brings Peter, John, and James to witness this resurrection from the dead
Flash forward to Acts:
In those days Tabitha became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.”39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. Acts 9:37-41
Summary: Peter, in the almost exact same fashion as Jesus, resurrects a lady.
Flipping back and forth between the two passages, the doubt that the similarities of these passages is intentional is fading. Luke-Acts is written by by Luke and the fact that the disciples are now doing exactly what Jesus demonstrated to them is inspiring and almost, cute.
Disciple see, disciple do.
This is the nature of what it means to follow Jesus. It is follow in their footsteps and replicate their life. Should we not, as Christians, be recognized by the similarity of the way we do things to Jesus?
