Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

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Read

Acts 10:44-48 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.

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Reflect

For All

“Thank you, God, that I’m not like them.” I have been hearing this statement in a variety of ways in the church lately. One person said they would never worship with people who lie, cheat, steal or any other sin because we aren’t supposed to be in relationship with them. I think that’s the way the circumcised felt when they noticed the Spirit falling on the Gentiles.
The idea that Gentiles could be in relationship with the same God as them was astonishing and confusing. The Jews had followed the rules, kept the law and now these outsiders were allowed into the faith. How can that be?
The beauty of this passage is the realization that Christ came for all, Jew and Gentile, slave and free, sinner and saint. When we become so pious that we point at “those over there” and claim we can have no relationship with them, then we have failed to see that the Spirit supersedes our human judgment. Witnessing the Spirit fall upon these people, Peter’s and the eyes of the Jews were opened to something they didn’t expect. God’s desire to be in relationship with everyone. It didn’t mean they were perfect; it didn’t mean they were without sin. It simply meant that Jesus came for all. For you, for me, and even for those that I’m not like.

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Pray

Almighty God, open our eyes to see you in the face of everyone we meet, remembering that you call everyone to come. We may not all come to you the same way, taking detours along the way. But that doesn’t change your love for everyone. Thank you for sending your Son, not for some of us, but for all of us. Amen.

Go with God!