Scripture: Acts 10:18-43 Click here for the reading
Observation: Peter says:You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you." This is a HUGE deal for Peter to take a risk and live into God's vision given to him, to meet with a man named Cornelius and also to put aside all the laws Peter grew to know, observe and live in order to have a deep relationship with the God he worshipped. This all changed when Jesus came into the world. And that is what Peter ends up preaching to the gentiles, the barrier now broken down by God. God's vision for those viewed as outsiders is now inclusive for all people.
Application: The world would rather divide us and see us split than to acknowledge God might love all people. Peter's willingness to abandon the prescripts for a proper relationship with God, and go against the laws he cherished and understood as being meaningful is a very big deal for the mission and life of the church. The circle is being drawn wide.
In the times when the church is struggling with this (always), where signs are held up that 'God hates fags' or "Muslims go to hell" we are grasping at straws to see God as having favorites...and we are the favorites. Peter of all people identified as being part of God's chosen people, yet had the ability to grab hold of God's vision for salvation given to all people, gentiles included.
This breaking of the barriers might be against the law but it is God's vision for the world when Jesus died on the cross, rose from the dead. This resurrection life has now changed the way society functions, the way the church's mission functions. Peter ends by saying "And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”
Prayer: Lord, when we exclude others from hearing the Good News of your Son, correct and direct us to your vision for salvation, especially when it goes out to people we might have a hard time understanding or break the law to reach.
Application: The world would rather divide us and see us split than to acknowledge God might love all people. Peter's willingness to abandon the prescripts for a proper relationship with God, and go against the laws he cherished and understood as being meaningful is a very big deal for the mission and life of the church. The circle is being drawn wide.
In the times when the church is struggling with this (always), where signs are held up that 'God hates fags' or "Muslims go to hell" we are grasping at straws to see God as having favorites...and we are the favorites. Peter of all people identified as being part of God's chosen people, yet had the ability to grab hold of God's vision for salvation given to all people, gentiles included.
This breaking of the barriers might be against the law but it is God's vision for the world when Jesus died on the cross, rose from the dead. This resurrection life has now changed the way society functions, the way the church's mission functions. Peter ends by saying "And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”
Prayer: Lord, when we exclude others from hearing the Good News of your Son, correct and direct us to your vision for salvation, especially when it goes out to people we might have a hard time understanding or break the law to reach.
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