Daily Scripture
During Easter, we are using short videos to share a daily idea (linked to the sermon for Sunday) on a reflection helping us wade deeper into the worship idea. Watch today's video:
NOTE:
The video is a longer drawing out of the reflection below. You can watch one and read the other or choose one.
Scripture
Acts 10:34 Peter said, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another.35 Rather, in every nation, whoever worships him and does what is right is acceptable to him.36 This is the message of peace he sent to the Israelites by proclaiming the good news through Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all!37 You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism John preached.38 You know about Jesus of Nazareth, whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit and endowed with power. Jesus traveled around doing good and healing everyone oppressed by the devil because God was with him.39 We are witnesses of everything he did, both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree,40 but God raised him up on the third day and allowed him to be seen,41 not by everyone but by us. We are witnesses whom God chose beforehand, who ate and drank with him after God raised him from the dead.42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
reflection Questions:
Peter uses Jesus’ resurrection as proof of God’s commitment to humanity because he sacrificed not only his life, but his standing with God. God’s embrace of all people has been made concrete in his willingness to die on the cross for all people. The face Jesus came as a specific person, in a specific place, reaffirms God’s promise to Israel and allows for its expansion to all people.
The message was clear; those who believed (regardless of nation, class, color or culture) in Christ would receive the forgiveness God offered to all. Does our faith in Christ' name help us to see everyone as God's child?
How can you trust in something which isn’t tangible, but proven only by other people’s stories?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, like Peter, I keep finding a need to grow even in areas I thought I was done with. Thank you for your ongoing grace, for urging me to grow even when I’m comfortable. Amen.
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