Reading the account of Peter and Dorcus is Acts 9, I was struck when he said to her, “Tabitha, get up.” This immediately brought to mind Jesus raising Jairus’ daughter and saying to her, “Talitha, cume” or “Little girl, get up.” Peter is continuing in the footsteps of his Lord Jesus, bringing life and healing. Christ ascendedto the right hand of God but continues his work in the Holy Spirit through his Church. In that same chapter, Saul is stopped on the road by a vision of Jesus himself, who says, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?…I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Paul’s threats and murder against the church are threats and murder against Jesus. He takes us into himself, identifies with us, so that our life becomes his life. This is a great comfort and hope - Jesus, seated at the right hand of God the Father, and us seated with him. He forever intercedes with us, standing before God making his plea on our behalf - this is what Stephen saw, Jesus standing (not sitting), as Stephen made his faithful witness. Stephen confessed Jesus before men, and Jesus confessed Stephen before his Heavenly Father. Our great high priest, our savior.
So when I stand in the world, Christ stands with me. When I suffer in the world, Christ suffers with me. When I speak to the world, Christ speaks through me. When I stand in the world, I know that Christ stands before God on my behalf. When I suffer in the world, Christ has suffered on my behalf. When I testify of him to the world, Christ testifies of me to the Father of my behalf.