Acts 10:34-43 (NRSV)
Read Acts 10:34-43 on biblegateway.com
Verse 34Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, Verse 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. Verse 36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ-he is Lord of all. Verse 37That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: Verse 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Verse 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; Verse 40but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, Verse 41not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. Verse 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. Verse 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
Devotion
We’ve all been there. Teams are being chosen and you pray that you are not the last one picked. It is the very real and sometimes painful experience of partiality. Peter’s revelation, his “A-ha!” moment, is that through Christ, salvation is extended to all — including the Gentiles. To those who feel “less than” (those outside in the darkness), these are words of pure grace. What a blessed relief! What promise we have always to know that we are chosen first by God! What promise we have always to know that in the crucified and risen Jesus, every person is welcomed by God!
Peter proclaims this glorious message in the bright morning of this Epiphany season. Now we, too, are to testify to this inclusivity in Christ. How can we cast the spotlight beam of the gospel wide? How will we be a welcoming presence to those who feel “picked last” in the world?
Prayer
O Lord our God, whose love is all encompassing and who embraces each one, bless our efforts to be an extension of your grace. Open us to opportunities in this day to testify to your steadfast mercy for all. In Jesus’ name. Amen.