Luke 7:18-23 | Acts 10:9-43
Whoever worships God and does what is right is acceptable to God.
Easy enough (to understand). So what is right? There are times when humans - even collectively - have determined that even a war is the right thing. Or that killing a convicted criminal is the right thing to do. Or that ending a pregnancy is the right thing to do. Or that punishing or disciplining a child is the right thing to do (but how much?). And so on.
(Again, if you missed the start of Acts 10 yesterday, go back. Don’t miss this story that revolutionizes the life and understanding of the people of God. It’s so important.)
In Luke’s gospel, disciples of John the Baptist are confused. If this guy who has come to the world - Jesus - really is the Messiah, then why is John in prison?!
Jesus…is it really you?
He, ever on point in his response, does not say, Yes or No. Rather, Jesus invites them to use their context clues. And he sets the clues very pointedly toward those things in which people’s lives are being transformed: people being healed, restored (to health!), lives that were dead being raised to new life, and good news being given to the poor.
That’s how we know if it’s Jesus.
Luke 7:18-23
John’s disciples informed him about all these things. John called two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord. They were to ask him, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for someone else?”
When they reached Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you. He asks, ‘Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for someone else?’”
Right then, Jesus healed many of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he gave sight to a number of blind people. Then he replied to John’s disciples, “Go, report to John what you have seen and heard. Those who were blind are able to see. Those who were crippled now walk. People with skin diseases are cleansed. Those who were deaf now hear. Those who were dead are raised up. And good news is preached to the poor. Happy is anyone who doesn’t stumble along the way because of me.”
Acts 10:9-43
At noon on the following day, as their journey brought them close to the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted to eat. While others were preparing the meal, he had a visionary experience. He saw heaven opened up and something like a large linen sheet being lowered to the earth by its four corners. Inside the sheet were all kinds of four-legged animals, reptiles, and wild birds. A voice told him, “Get up, Peter! Kill and eat!”
Peter exclaimed, “Absolutely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
The voice spoke a second time, “Never consider unclean what God has made pure.” This happened three times, then the object was suddenly pulled back into heaven.
Peter was bewildered about the meaning of the vision. Just then, the messengers sent by Cornelius discovered the whereabouts of Simon’s house and arrived at the gate. Calling out, they inquired whether the Simon known as Peter was a guest there.
While Peter was brooding over the vision, the Spirit interrupted him, “Look! Three people are looking for you. Go downstairs. Don’t ask questions; just go with them because I have sent them.”
So Peter went downstairs and told them, “I’m the one you are looking for. Why have you come?”
They replied, “We’ve come on behalf of Cornelius, a centurion and righteous man, a God-worshipper who is well-respected by all Jewish people. A holy angel directed him to summon you to his house and to hear what you have to say.” Peter invited them into the house as his guests.
The next day he got up and went with them, together with some of the believers from Joppa. They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Anticipating their arrival, Cornelius had gathered his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in order to honor him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Get up! Like you, I’m just a human.” As they continued to talk, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them, “You all realize that it is forbidden for a Jew to associate or visit with outsiders. However, God has shown me that I should never call a person impure or unclean. For this reason, when you sent for me, I came without objection. I want to know, then, why you sent for me.”
Cornelius answered, “Four days ago at this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon, I was praying at home. Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me. He said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayers, and your compassionate acts are like a memorial offering to him. Therefore, send someone to Joppa and summon Simon, who is known as Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, located near the seacoast.’ I sent for you right away, and you were kind enough to come. Now, here we are, gathered in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has directed you to say.”
Peter said, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. Rather, in every nation, whoever worships him and does what is right is acceptable to him. This is the message of peace he sent to the Israelites by proclaiming the good news through Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all! You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism John preached. 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. We are witnesses of everything he did, both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him up on the third day and allowed him to be seen, 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. 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. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Prayer
God,
I’d like to think that I’m impartial. But then I remember that I, like Peter, am “just a human.”
Lord, the world is a mess. Everyone’s got the answers, none of which are working. Everyone is so suspicious of everyone else. It really makes for a difficult environment in which to be creative, intentional, and hopeful.
But you are a God of hope. You have shown us in Jesus that there is hope for anyone. Anyone. So help me in my partiality. Let me at least see each person I encounter today with a posture of hope.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.
I got reminded I’m human today too. Thank you for all of your guidance during this. I know we don’t know each other, but being brave enough to call out what all has happened to myself and others if they choose might be more hard than what I have actually experienced itself. Your words mean so much to me. That’s how I know that you know Jesus.
Firrreeeeee