“In Between Normals”: A 30 Day Devotion on the Book of ActsSample

You Are Not Better than Them

The Jewish society in Jesus' time had a strong sense of identity. There was a clear distinction between Jews vs. Gentiles, clean vs. unclean, and circumcised vs. uncircumcised.

Similarly, many today have a mental list of people who they call "us." The ones who couldn’t make it are "them." Worse, there are "those" whom they despise, usually with a generous dosage of indignation and self-righteousness. We are on God's side. Not sure about others. But these relic lists belong to our "previous life," the "old normal," the ones we have already left behind. They have no place in the "new normal" that belongs to Jesus.

In today's reading, we meet Cornelius. He is "devout and God-fearing." A good guy but a Gentile nevertheless. He was one of "them." But God was about to disrupt this Jews vs. Gentiles division and He chose the best (or worse) possible candidate: Apostle Peter.

Peter was the President and CEO (so to speak) of this new religious movement headquartered in Jerusalem. He had influence. However, Peter also had all the incentives to play it safe to preserve the tradition. Why rock the boat?

But God is amazingly wise! In a weird vision, God asked Peter to eat some "unclean food." Peter, being a practicing Jew, readily refused. How could he not? The food was not just unclean, it was repulsive!

God then uttered one of the most no-nonsense statements ever recorded in history. "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." (Acts 10:15) Peter, don't you ever dare to call the Gentiles unclean again! God has made them clean! "They" are not your enemies! You are not better than "them"!

Look! Our Saviour Jesus has "made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility." (Ephesians 2:14) Wow! It’s not just a wall. It’s a hostile wall!

My friend, do you have a "wall of hostility" to fend "them" off? A family member, a "certain" colleague, the guy who disagrees with your political view?

So, what should we do? The answer is simple. Follow Peter's example. Stand up! Move across the room! Go and talk to "them."

Reflection:

Is there someone you classify as "them" or even "those” – someone you don't like? Can you pray a blessing upon them today? What can you do to slowly dismantle this "wall of hostility"?