Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” Acts 10:34-36
I really like this scripture. Peter is called by God to Caesarea to visit Cornelius and his friends and family to share the good news of God’s Holy Spirit. Normally this is exactly what Peter would do. It’s just that this time Peter said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?” Acts 10:28-29 Cornelius responds: “Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” Acts 10:33
Today we could substitute the words ‘Jew’ and ‘Gentile’ with Black, White, Hispanic, Muslim, handicapped, homeless, … we all get the picture. And of course Peter’s response to this concern was: Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. Acts 10:47-48
Dear Lord, help us to remember this scripture when we might struggle with the social changes in our daily lives. Help us to remember that we are here to spread the good news of God’s love so that all others might discover His peace. In your name we pray, Amen.