Call No One Profane or Unclean

God is Just and Merciful

Jesus Teaches about Justice

Acts 10:23-33 The Message
22-23 They said, “Captain Cornelius, a God-fearing man well-known for his fair play—ask any Jew in this part of the country—was commanded by a holy angel to get you and bring you to his house so he could hear what you had to say.” Peter invited them in and made them feel at home.

God Plays No Favorites

23-26 The next morning he got up and went with them. Some of his friends from Joppa went along. A day later they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had his relatives and close friends waiting with him. The minute Peter came through the door, Cornelius was up on his feet greeting him—and then down on his face worshiping him! Peter pulled him up and said, “None of that—I’m a man and only a man, no different from you.”
27-29 Talking things over, they went on into the house, where Cornelius introduced Peter to everyone who had come. Peter addressed them, “You know, I’m sure that this is highly irregular. Jews just don’t do this—visit and relax with people of another race. But God has just shown me that no race is better than any other. So the minute I was sent for, I came, no questions asked. But now I’d like to know why you sent for me.”
30-32 Cornelius said, “Four days ago at about this time, midafternoon, I was home praying. Suddenly there was a man right in front of me, flooding the room with light. He said, ‘Cornelius, your daily prayers and neighborly acts have brought you to God’s attention. I want you to send to Joppa to get Simon, the one they call Peter. He’s staying with Simon the Tanner down by the sea.’
33 “So I did it—I sent for you. And you’ve been good enough to come. And now we’re all here in God’s presence, ready to listen to whatever the Master put in your heart to tell us.”

For Reflection

There are many individuals in today's world that we would like to label profane and unclean. I suppose for preservation's sake it is necessary to make such judgments. But there is no need to judge all people by the example of one.  We are all different.  It is this characteristic of humanity which strengthens us. In a time when it is common for people to inflate their fears and blame their sufferings on others, the act of doing so decreases our security and reduces the effectiveness of our communities. Those who seek to divide us one from another, do so for selfish gain.  It is all about what they want and nothing about you.  The label they place on one group of people will be the label they put on you next. 

In Christ, there is no difference between groups of people. There is no East or West, North or South. We are all God's people.

Pray

Pray so that you will understand and believe in the goodness of all people.  Pray so that you will not find a scapegoat for your sufferings.  Pray, so you can see each other as God's sees.

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