Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Good News for All

Acts 10:1-11:18

Cornelius sees an angel of the Lord who speaks to him. It must be that even though he was not a Jew (uncircumcised) he had heard of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and followed. I find that interesting. I wonder how he heard, and why he believed. Yet he did, and when Peter comes and talks to him and 'his whole household' they were ready to hear this good news.

Three times Peter hears the word of the Lord, he is slow sometimes isn't he? I think that is good news for us because I think we are (I know I am) slow sometimes. This speech that Peter gives is not the same as what he has said to others. It seems gentle and direct, he gives them credit for knowing what they have heard. When he says "Stand up, I too am a man....And we are witnesses of all that he did..." he invites them into the story as participants.

When he returned there were some who criticized him, but he "explained it to them in order."

Well now I can see some things here to go along with. First we need to recognize as Peter did that this news is for everyone, not just those we know and who are like us. We are those who have received this good news from those who came before. Secondly, we who bring the Good News are not the important ones, nor are we special because of it, we are 'just men' (or in my case just a woman) but anyway you get my meaning. We are not Billy Graham, and even if we were, it wasn't Billy Graham that was the good news, rather he just brought the Good News. And thirdly, we need to explain things in order-or rather speak plainly, clearly and logically without getting ahead of ourselves but making certain to give the important points. Once Peter let those who had criticized him know about the work of the Lord and his reasons for answering the call as he did they too rejoiced with him. Be prepared to defend your faith and the call it places on your life.

Two more things stand out to me: bring your whole household. Cornelius used his enthusiasm and his influence to encourage others to hear this Good News. We too can do this; invite, join and bring. and lastly Rejoice!  Praise God and join God where He is working in order to spread the Good News.

See you tomorrow.
-maggie

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