Thursday, January 12, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading
Acts 10:34–43 

Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (NRSV)

Reflection

I’m a big fan of the executive summary. When I review a proposal, I like a few short sentences or bullet points that capture the main idea. Then I want the research and analysis that led to the recommendation. Clearly, in this passage, Peter understood the importance of a good executive summary and he starts it off with a powerful proclamation: God shows no partiality. That certainly says a lot about who is created in God’s image and who is valuable. 

Alrighty then, God shows no partiality so let’s get down to the business of building God’s dream for the world here on earth! Wait. Just wait a minute. An executive summary can give me a preview but it’s rarely enough to move me to action. These ten verses aren’t enough. Sure, they distill the key message into a few points. This should be enough but for me it’s not. I appreciate Peter’s brief history. I appreciate his strong clarity of purpose but it’s not enough for me. 

An early mentor in my faith journey used to say that we worship in community, and we study the Bible in community so that we aren’t deluded into thinking that we alone have the complete understanding of God. We need the stories of others. We need their context and experience. We need to know God’s mercy through stories of failure. We need to know God’s faithfulness through written and oral testimonies. We need to hear God speaking through others. That is the research and analysis.  

Okay Peter, I appreciate your executive summary but I’m going to need some more. I’m going to need to build some relationships with other people of faith so that I will be moved to action.   

Prayer

God, you have created me and know my heart and mind. Thank you for the great diversity of thinking, and teaching. Remind me that to fully know you, I must be in relationship with others. Amen. 

Written by Andrea Denney, Executive Director of Operational Ministries 

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

Devotion index by date

Please email me daily devotions