“So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, ‘You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.’” Acts 11:2-3.
Peter, having stayed with Cornelius and his Gentile household, returned to Jerusalem. Upon his arrival, the Jewish followers of Jesus began to confront Peter for lodging and eating with Gentiles. This was something that Jews, whether followers of Jesus or not, had not been allowed to do, according to Jewish Law. And now, one of their primary leaders had crossed the line, and he was now being called into accounts.
I am grateful that conflicts like this are included in the story of the early church. It doesn’t seem as though the early followers of Jesus sought to sugar-coat or attempt to sweep the conflict that did occur under the rug. I breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that they are not really much different than you and me. It helps to remove our “stained-glass” image of the early church, and the rosy lens through which we see such stories.
I am, also, grateful to see these early followers hold each other accountable for their actions. Peter, who apparently was not above being held to accounts, had done something that had been thought of as questionable, and his brothers and sisters confronted him concerning these actions, requiring him to give an explanation. This kind of accountability is a good thing and can serve both the individual and the community well. In this situation, Peter’s actions were appropriate and it was the community that needed some adjustment in attitude.
Questions to consider: Are there issues that we, as a community of believers have been sugar-coating or attempting to sweep under the rug? Is there anyone in your life that can hold you accountable? How functional and helpful is this to you?
Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me some people who care enough – who love me enough – to speak the truth to me and to hold me accountable. Help me to be as open as I can in those relationships, so that I might be more conformed to Your image. Amen.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
December 24, 2009 - Luke 2:7 (continued)
“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7 (continued).
In the last Thursday Thought, I wrote about the circumstances in which Jesus was born - born to an unmarried teenager, born far away from home, and born in a smelly stable, wrapped in a warming clothe used for an animal and laid in an animal’s feeding trough.
God doesn’t just identify with the poor and oppressed of the world; He became one of them. All through His ministry, Jesus encouraged and exhorted those around Him to reach out to those who are less fortunate. He led by example, as well, by giving of Himself in healing the sick, casting out demons and preaching and teaching about the Kingdom of God. He fed large, hungry crowds on two different, recorded occasions. He cared for the total needs of those around Him.
I am challenged to give, not just out of my “abundance,” but to give sacrificially. Jesus not only gave some of what He had – He gave all that He had, even to the ultimate sacrifice – His life. It was a total commitment. He not only gave to the poor and the needy – He was one of them and always identified with them.
Questions to consider: How does Jesus identify with the poor and needy of our world? How do you identify with the poor and needy of our world? Is there more that God is calling you to do to help the needy, the afflicted, the infirmed, and the poor?
Prayer: Father, thank You for not forgetting the forgotten – the poor and unfortunate. Help me to remember them and to hear Your prompting as to what You would have me do to help. And help me to obey Your call. Amen.
In the last Thursday Thought, I wrote about the circumstances in which Jesus was born - born to an unmarried teenager, born far away from home, and born in a smelly stable, wrapped in a warming clothe used for an animal and laid in an animal’s feeding trough.
God doesn’t just identify with the poor and oppressed of the world; He became one of them. All through His ministry, Jesus encouraged and exhorted those around Him to reach out to those who are less fortunate. He led by example, as well, by giving of Himself in healing the sick, casting out demons and preaching and teaching about the Kingdom of God. He fed large, hungry crowds on two different, recorded occasions. He cared for the total needs of those around Him.
I am challenged to give, not just out of my “abundance,” but to give sacrificially. Jesus not only gave some of what He had – He gave all that He had, even to the ultimate sacrifice – His life. It was a total commitment. He not only gave to the poor and the needy – He was one of them and always identified with them.
Questions to consider: How does Jesus identify with the poor and needy of our world? How do you identify with the poor and needy of our world? Is there more that God is calling you to do to help the needy, the afflicted, the infirmed, and the poor?
Prayer: Father, thank You for not forgetting the forgotten – the poor and unfortunate. Help me to remember them and to hear Your prompting as to what You would have me do to help. And help me to obey Your call. Amen.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
December 17, 2009 - Luke 2:7
“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7.
Jesus, the only Son of the Most High and Exalted God, comes to humanity in the most humble of conditions! In no way could we have imagined that God would make His arrival in our time-and-space world in such a demeaning way. Yet He chose for His Son to be born in just these kinds of conditions – born to an unmarried teenager, born far away from home, and born in a smelly stable, wrapped in a warming cloth used for an animal and laid in an animal’s feeding trough. This was not an auspicious beginning for the Lord of the Universe! Yet, Jesus thrived in this humble way of life and was not hindered in any way by it in communicating God’s love for all people. He was connected to His Father no matter what His station in life.
There have been times in my life when I was hindered within my own mind by what I perceived to be my own “humble” beginnings. Yet, as I have continued my journey with Jesus, I realize that, whatever my situation in this world, I carry a piece of God’s image within me. I am His image bearer and I need not be hindered by any of those things that the world tells me are important. I used to say to my children, “remember who you are and Whose you are.” It remains a valuable credo today!
Questions to consider: Are you hindered by your “humble” beginnings? In what ways? How does having a piece of God’s image within you help to overcome those beginnings? How are you changed into a new person, no matter what the world may tell you?
Prayer: Father, thank You for building within me a piece of Your image. Thank You that, because You have, I am free from whom the world tells me I am and what I am worth. Thank You that You have made me Your child. Amen.
Jesus, the only Son of the Most High and Exalted God, comes to humanity in the most humble of conditions! In no way could we have imagined that God would make His arrival in our time-and-space world in such a demeaning way. Yet He chose for His Son to be born in just these kinds of conditions – born to an unmarried teenager, born far away from home, and born in a smelly stable, wrapped in a warming cloth used for an animal and laid in an animal’s feeding trough. This was not an auspicious beginning for the Lord of the Universe! Yet, Jesus thrived in this humble way of life and was not hindered in any way by it in communicating God’s love for all people. He was connected to His Father no matter what His station in life.
There have been times in my life when I was hindered within my own mind by what I perceived to be my own “humble” beginnings. Yet, as I have continued my journey with Jesus, I realize that, whatever my situation in this world, I carry a piece of God’s image within me. I am His image bearer and I need not be hindered by any of those things that the world tells me are important. I used to say to my children, “remember who you are and Whose you are.” It remains a valuable credo today!
Questions to consider: Are you hindered by your “humble” beginnings? In what ways? How does having a piece of God’s image within you help to overcome those beginnings? How are you changed into a new person, no matter what the world may tell you?
Prayer: Father, thank You for building within me a piece of Your image. Thank You that, because You have, I am free from whom the world tells me I am and what I am worth. Thank You that You have made me Your child. Amen.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
December 10, 2009 - Luke 1:44a
For these next few weeks of the Christmas season, I will be diverting from the writings on Acts, and, instead, will be writing a few reflections on the coming of the King.
“’As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.’” Luke 1:44a
Mary, who was pregnant with Jesus, the Promised One, arrived at the home of her cousin, Elizabeth. And immediately upon her arrival the baby in Elizabeth’s womb started to leap for joy. This baby was John, who was Jesus’ cousin and who was to become the Baptist. Isaiah, the prophet, had foretold the coming of John, saying, “A voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the Lord.’” And the baby, John, was leaping for joy in his mother’s womb because he already knew that the Promised One had entered the world and had, indeed, arrived at their house!
John’s whole life was focused on preparing the way for Jesus’ coming. I, on the other hand, have mixed motives. While there is definitely that side of me that desires to be whole-heartedly focused on Jesus in all that I do, I still have a significant part of me that seeks to go my own way. By God’s grace, I am seeking my own way less and walking in Jesus’ way more. It is my hope that, like John, I will leap for joy at His arrival – past, present, and future.
Questions to consider: What are you doing to “prepare the way” for the Lord in your life and in your world? Are there obstacles in the way? How will you overcome them? Have you had moments where you “leaped for joy?”
Prayer: Father, thank You for sending John to prepare the way for Jesus’ coming. Please help me to know how I can prepare the way in my life for Jesus’ coming, and help me to leap for joy. Amen.
“’As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.’” Luke 1:44a
Mary, who was pregnant with Jesus, the Promised One, arrived at the home of her cousin, Elizabeth. And immediately upon her arrival the baby in Elizabeth’s womb started to leap for joy. This baby was John, who was Jesus’ cousin and who was to become the Baptist. Isaiah, the prophet, had foretold the coming of John, saying, “A voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the Lord.’” And the baby, John, was leaping for joy in his mother’s womb because he already knew that the Promised One had entered the world and had, indeed, arrived at their house!
John’s whole life was focused on preparing the way for Jesus’ coming. I, on the other hand, have mixed motives. While there is definitely that side of me that desires to be whole-heartedly focused on Jesus in all that I do, I still have a significant part of me that seeks to go my own way. By God’s grace, I am seeking my own way less and walking in Jesus’ way more. It is my hope that, like John, I will leap for joy at His arrival – past, present, and future.
Questions to consider: What are you doing to “prepare the way” for the Lord in your life and in your world? Are there obstacles in the way? How will you overcome them? Have you had moments where you “leaped for joy?”
Prayer: Father, thank You for sending John to prepare the way for Jesus’ coming. Please help me to know how I can prepare the way in my life for Jesus’ coming, and help me to leap for joy. Amen.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
December 3, 2009 - Acts 10:47
“’Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.’” Acts 10:47.
The group that came with Peter to Cornelius’ house could not believe what had happened, yet they could not deny it. The Holy Spirit had come to the people of this household just as He had come to the early followers of Jesus. What was different about this occurrence was that everyone in Cornelius’ household was Gentile, and these disciples had not known any non-Jewish people to become followers of Jesus. And they were still trying to figure out how to “keep these people from being baptized.”
While I may not consciously segregate, I know that deep inside me there are people that I would rather not associate with. And if something as dramatic as what happened at Cornelius’ home happened among these people, I would probably try to think of a way how I could stay separate from them. And being as “civilized” as we are in the West, I am certain that a palatable method could be achieved. The end result would still be the same, and people would still be separated – and my bigotry would not be exposed!
Even though these disciples were seeking to maintain their religious purity, as they understood it from their Jewish roots, segregation and bigotry were still present. To their credit, Cornelius and his household were baptized, yet the underlying problem festered on for years to come. And down through the centuries, we still battle with bigotry on one level or another.
Questions to consider: Is there a race/ethnic/religious (or other) group that you have a prejudice against? What is God’s heart concerning this? What steps can you take to begin to (or continue to) overcome this?
Prayer: Father, give me eyes to see whom I seek to segregate myself from, give me a heart to seek Your forgiveness for this separation, and give me the heart to change. Amen.
The group that came with Peter to Cornelius’ house could not believe what had happened, yet they could not deny it. The Holy Spirit had come to the people of this household just as He had come to the early followers of Jesus. What was different about this occurrence was that everyone in Cornelius’ household was Gentile, and these disciples had not known any non-Jewish people to become followers of Jesus. And they were still trying to figure out how to “keep these people from being baptized.”
While I may not consciously segregate, I know that deep inside me there are people that I would rather not associate with. And if something as dramatic as what happened at Cornelius’ home happened among these people, I would probably try to think of a way how I could stay separate from them. And being as “civilized” as we are in the West, I am certain that a palatable method could be achieved. The end result would still be the same, and people would still be separated – and my bigotry would not be exposed!
Even though these disciples were seeking to maintain their religious purity, as they understood it from their Jewish roots, segregation and bigotry were still present. To their credit, Cornelius and his household were baptized, yet the underlying problem festered on for years to come. And down through the centuries, we still battle with bigotry on one level or another.
Questions to consider: Is there a race/ethnic/religious (or other) group that you have a prejudice against? What is God’s heart concerning this? What steps can you take to begin to (or continue to) overcome this?
Prayer: Father, give me eyes to see whom I seek to segregate myself from, give me a heart to seek Your forgiveness for this separation, and give me the heart to change. Amen.
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