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Thursday
January 28, 2010
Embodying Hope and Celebrating our Unity in Christ Jesus
Introduction
Acts 10:34-48: The story of Peter and Cornelius continues. Peter becomes
certain that all are equal in God's eyes, Jewish and Gentile followers
alike. He retells the story of Jesus, recalling that God called his
disciples to share the good news of Christ's salvation. Some Jewish
followers are surprised that the Holy Spirit has been given to Gentiles.
Peter orders Gentile followers to be baptized.
Today's Scripture: Acts 10:34Peter began to speak: "I now realize that it is true that God treats
everyone
on the same basis."
How is this Scripture passage speaking to me today? Today's Reading
34Peter began to speak:
I now realize that it is true that God treats everyone on the
same basis.
35Those who fear him and do what is right are
acceptable to him, no matter what race they belong to.
36You know the message he sent to the people of
Israel, proclaiming the Good News of peace through Jesus Christ, who is
Lord of all.
37You know of the great event that took place
throughout the land of Israel, beginning in Galilee after John preached
his message of baptism.
38You know about Jesus of Nazareth and how God
poured out on him the Holy Spirit and power. He went everywhere, doing
good and healing all who were under the power of the Devil, for God was
with him.
39We are witnesses of everything that he did in
the land of Israel and in Jerusalem. Then they put him to death by nailing
him to a cross.
40But God raised him from death three days later
and caused him to appear,
41not to everyone, but only to the witnesses that
God had already chosen, that is, to us who ate and drank with him after he
rose from death.
42And he commanded us to preach the gospel to the
people and to testify that he is the one whom God has appointed judge of
the living and the dead.
43All the prophets spoke about him, saying that
all who believe in him will have their sins forgiven through the power of
his name.
44While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit
came down on all those who were listening to his message.
45The Jewish believers who had come from Joppa
with Peter were amazed that God had poured out his gift of the Holy Spirit
on the Gentiles also.
46For they heard them speaking in strange tongues
and praising God's greatness. Peter spoke up:
47“These people have received
the Holy Spirit, just as we also did. Can anyone, then, stop them from
being baptized with water?”
48So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of
Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay with them for a few days.
Reflect
The English word gentile comes from the Latin word for "people." In the
Bible, Gentiles are all the peoples who are not Jewish. Jesus reaches out
to heal people who are not Jewish (Matthew 8:5-13; Mark 5:1-20; Mark
7:24-37). In today's passage, Peter decides that anyone from any nation
who worships God and does right is acceptable to God (10:35). What was
important about Peter's vision and his meeting with Cornelius? Are all
people treated the same way in your community? In your church? Why or why
not?
Pray
God of Grace, too often, people in my community and even my church are
shunned because they are different. Forgive me for the times when I fail
to reach out to those on the margins. Empower me to embrace them and show
them your love. Amen.
Prayer Concern
Those who are marginalized and ostracized by society
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