Acts 10:30-43: a reflection

30Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God. 32Send therefore to Joppa and summon Simon, who is also called Peter. He is staying in the house of a tanner named Simon, by the seaside. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 33Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God.” 34Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism; 35but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. 36The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all— 37you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem; whom they also killed, hanging him on a tree. 40God raised him up the third day and gave him to be revealed, 41not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”

When Peter, a Jew, comes to the house of Cornelius, a Gentile, he arrives with a revelation that overturns deep assumptions. Truly I understand, Peter says, that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. Peter had learned that God does not favor one nation over another; the gospel, and God's acceptance, are for people of every nation who turn to him. And he goes on to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, through whom everyone who believes receives forgiveness.

Notice the barrier that falls: God shows no partiality among the nations. The old assumption that God favored one people over others is overturned; God accepts people of every nation who fear him. The gospel is not the property of one group, but good news for all peoples, breaking down the barriers that divide nation from nation. In Christ, the dividing walls come down.

That truth is still needed. We are prone to draw lines, to assume that God favors people like us and is more distant from those who are different, of another nation, race, or background. But God shows no partiality; his acceptance and his gospel reach to people of every nation who turn to him. There are no outsiders to his grace. Do not draw lines God does not draw. Recognize that God shows no partiality, that his gospel is for all peoples, and that in Christ the barriers between nations and peoples come down. Share his heart, which reaches without partiality to people of every nation, and welcome as God welcomes, without favoritism, all who fear him and turn to him.

Lord, when Peter came to the Gentile Cornelius, he learned that you show no partiality, but accept people of every nation who fear you and do what is right. Thank you that your gospel and your grace are for all peoples, breaking down the barriers that divide nation from nation. Overturn my own assumptions. I am prone to draw lines, to imagine that you favor people like me and are distant from those who are different. But you show no partiality; there are no outsiders to your grace. Help me not to draw lines you do not draw. Give me your heart, which reaches without partiality to people of every nation, and help me welcome, as you welcome, without favoritism, all who turn to you. Thank you that in Christ the walls between peoples come down.