Acts 10:34-43 (NRSV)
Read Acts 10:34-43 on biblegateway.com
Verse 34Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, Verse 35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. Verse 36You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ-he is Lord of all. Verse 37That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: Verse 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Verse 39We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; Verse 40but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, Verse 41not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. Verse 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. Verse 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
Devotion
Oh, Peter! Peter, the bumbling, stumbling one! Peter, the impulsive one, who jumps into the sea at the Lord’s invitation. Peter, who slices the ear from the centurion that would dare threaten the Lord. Peter, who shows up the other disciples by saying, “Not me, Lord; I would never abandon you!”
Peter is our bowling buddy whose childlike faith is “quaint.” Peter is that woman who has never sung in the church choir or taught Sunday School, but always brings her hot dish to the funeral luncheon. Oh, Peter, the one whom God chose to tell the story of salvation to an outsider, in simple language that he could grasp and believe. Thank you.
As a teenager, I was the religious outsider. I was unchurched, uncouth and uninterested. Two men became Peter to me. Whitey lived his faith and Dave spoke his faith. God used them both to draw me into the Kingdom for eternity. Thank you.
Who was your “Peter?” Who shared with you the gospel in such simple terms? Who showed you grace in such loving ways that you allowed God to penetrate your heart and set a purpose for your life?
Prayer
Jesus, I thank you for the people who have breathed the gospel into my life. I would be blessed to be that sort of witness to others. Use me. Amen.