Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Today’s Scripture
Today’s Author
Rebekah LeMon
Acts 10 is full of surprises. This story centers on Simon Peter and a centurion named Cornelius. Each has a surprising vision and their visions bring them together. Cornelius is an unlikely carrier of a message for Peter, since he is Roman, Gentile, and an army officer—all groups that persecuted early Christians. But Cornelius prayed to God and gave money to those in need, and an angel of God instructed Cornelius to contact Peter. Peter, meanwhile, would not usually have had anything to do with Cornelius, and most certainly would not have gone to his home. But Peter also had a vision. He saw all kinds of animals, including some that were considered unclean. He heard a voice telling him that he could eat those animals, that God had made them clean. Cornelius’s emissaries come and Peter goes with them. To his surprise, he finds a crowd of Gentiles eager to hear God’s message.
Through visions, holy messages, and a gathering of outsiders, Peter understands that God is redrawing the lines of community. Labels of ‘clean’ and ‘unclean’ are thrown out, as God can make anything and anyone clean. The Holy Spirit fills the Gentiles and they are baptized. What a reminder! God isn’t contained by any circles we draw or labels we assign. So who should we welcome? From whom can we learn about faith? After all, “God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to God.”
Summer Devotional
God Goes With Us
This summer’s devotional is a walk through the Bible. Join our pastors and staff for daily reflections on scripture passages from Genesis to Revelation. In the beginning, God said, “I will be your God and you will be my people.” Come and see how this covenant promise changes through time yet remains steadfast from generation to generation.
Each Sunday, Chris Holmes will share a short message on the texts for the week, and written reflections will go out every Monday through Thursday morning.
We wish you blessings and deeper faith this summer!
