Fifth Sunday in Easter: First Reading, Acts 11:1-18         

Acts 11:1-18

“Those of the circumcision contended with him.” A phrase lifted from verse 2 in our reading above. The “him” is Peter who had given account of his ministry to Gentiles of the good news of the gospel and their reception of it. Those in Judea who heard his words regarding God’s goodness to all were offended. Huh. Sounds like our culture. No doubt sometimes words do bring offense. But we are talking about a God whose heart has been tilted toward the whole world from the start. Where did the Jews of apostolic times trip up? Well there was a centuries-long history of them tripping over promises and prophetic utterances and it found its culmination in their opposition to God. Not a good outcome.

Think about this text: “I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed,” (Gen. 12:3). God’s blessing is for the world. Even in the grounding statements of the Abrahamic Covenant we see God’s arc toward a movement that leaves no one out. And the reach of the work of Abraham’s promised seed provided just that. Jesus died for all. And if your heart and lungs are still functioning then you have a place in bringing the same good news to people everywhere. Specifically right where you are. There are still too many lost and dying in the dark. Lord, send laborers into the white fields today. Send me. Amen!