The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ. He is Lord of all. Acts 10:36 WEB
In the days of the apostles, like today, people made clear distinctions between different groups, races, and ethnicities. The Roman Empire in which Jesus lived stretched from modern Spain in the west to the Middle East, from Africa in the south to modern England in the north. Like many of today’s western countries, within its borders, Rome had diverse social classes and a staggering number of people groups.
For the children of Israel, distinction between themselves and others was made simple by their people group. Israel identified themselves as Jews while labeling all other groups as Gentiles. However, with his words from Acts 10:36, “He is Lord of all,” Peter makes clear that God shows no partiality, but rather accepts all who believe in Jesus Christ.
Peter was a religious leader in the Jewish church. Before coming to believe in Christ, he thought of the God of Abraham as exclusive to his people alone. His conversion opened his eyes to the truth that God welcomes people of all nations who repent from sin and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Make Disciples of All Nations
God revealed himself to people of Israel through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But God’s plan for reconciliation was broader than that. Jesus commanded his disciples in Matthew 28:19 saying, “Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. WEB”
No matter what race, ethnicity, or nationality the world might use to classify a person, God only has two distinct classifications, the saved and the unsaved. Sin separates us from a righteous God. Our violations of God’s law put us at odds with our Creator. But God provided a way to restore us to righteousness. As Paul writes in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. KJV” On the cross, Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins restoring peace between repentant sinners and God.
Jesus came to save the lost saying in Luke 5:32, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. WEB” As Peter came to know, it does not matter what color, what doctrine, or what nation we were born under, what matters is that we turn from our sins and accept the truth of God’s love, receiving Christ as our lord and Savior through faith.
Prayer: “Father God, you love all people and all nations. Thank you for including me in your plans. Guide me into your will. Give me strength and wisdom to share your message of hope with the world. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: The Lord Gives Strength
