Live Justly in the Reign of God
Treat Everyone Equally
Acts 10:34-43
The Message
34-36 Peter
fairly exploded with his good news: “It’s God’s own truth, nothing
could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you
are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he
says, the door is open. The Message he sent to the children of
Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together
again—well, he’s doing it everywhere, among everyone.
37-38 “You know the story of what happened in Judea. It began in Galilee after John preached a total life-change. Then Jesus arrived from Nazareth, anointed by God with the Holy Spirit, ready for action. He went through the country helping people and healing everyone who was beaten down by the Devil. He was able to do all this because God was with him.
39-43 “And we saw it, saw it all, everything he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem where they killed him, hung him from a cross. But in three days God had him up, alive, and out where he could be seen. Not everyone saw him—he wasn’t put on public display. Witnesses had been carefully handpicked by God beforehand—us! We were the ones, there to eat and drink with him after he came back from the dead. He commissioned us to announce this in public, to bear solemn witness that he is in fact the One whom God destined as Judge of the living and dead. But we’re not alone in this. Our witness that he is the means to forgiveness of sins is backed up by the witness of all the prophets.”
37-38 “You know the story of what happened in Judea. It began in Galilee after John preached a total life-change. Then Jesus arrived from Nazareth, anointed by God with the Holy Spirit, ready for action. He went through the country helping people and healing everyone who was beaten down by the Devil. He was able to do all this because God was with him.
39-43 “And we saw it, saw it all, everything he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem where they killed him, hung him from a cross. But in three days God had him up, alive, and out where he could be seen. Not everyone saw him—he wasn’t put on public display. Witnesses had been carefully handpicked by God beforehand—us! We were the ones, there to eat and drink with him after he came back from the dead. He commissioned us to announce this in public, to bear solemn witness that he is in fact the One whom God destined as Judge of the living and dead. But we’re not alone in this. Our witness that he is the means to forgiveness of sins is backed up by the witness of all the prophets.”
For Reflection
Life is not fair! Systems are not fair! Opportunities available to some and not to all is not fair. Birth rights are not fair. Inequitable distribution of goods and services is not fair. Advantages denied to some and given to others is not fair.
Make your own list of unfairness. God will not be on that list. The Christ event has shown us how to live lives within the fairness of the Kingdom of God. God has shown us what justice means. God has shown us how to achieve justice. God gives us hope in a God-centered life.
Make your own list of unfairness. God will not be on that list. The Christ event has shown us how to live lives within the fairness of the Kingdom of God. God has shown us what justice means. God has shown us how to achieve justice. God gives us hope in a God-centered life.
Pray
that the people in God's Kingdom will never give up the quest for justice. Pray that you will work individually and collectively to seek just ends.
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