The Church Is Bigger

Daily Reading: Acts 11

When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11.18)

Devotional Thought: Peter was “called on the carpet” for extending the gospel to Gentiles.  “Those people aren’t like us!” the folks at the home church complained.  Peter couldn't chastise them too harshly.  After all, he thought that very thing until God told him not to call any person "common or unclean."  Peter’s testimony carried the day.  The folks in Jerusalem decided that God was up to something, and they better not get in the way.

At a Wednesday night dinner in our church, I was introduced to a new couple.  They had come as guests of another new person in our church.  As I sat and got to know them, I discovered that they were truly delightful people.  Finding that they had just moved back to Ohio from Florida, I urged them to return to our church and get to know our people.  Our people will love you and pray for you.  Extending his arms, my new friend flat out asked me, “You think so?  Even with these tattoos?”  I assured him that yes, they would be accepted and loved in our church.  I told him that some of our “older folks” might struggle at first, but that they would come around.  And they did!

Just like in the Jerusalem church, the human response to people “not like us” is to react with hesitation.  But the Christian response is to get through that hesitation, to say with the Jerusalem church, “To the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

What about you?  Are you uncomfortable with the Church accepting people who come from different backgrounds or who look different?  Heed the example of those early Christians and rejoice that the Church is bigger than any of our pre-conceived notions of what it ought to be.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that the Church is bigger - bigger than my prejudices and preferences, bigger than the prejudices and preferences of people who welcomed me into the family of God.  Help me to extend my arms and welcome the outsider.  In the name of Jesus, amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 74.18-23

18 Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy scoffs, and a foolish people reviles your name.

19 Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild beasts; do not forget the life of your poor forever.

20 Have regard for the covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence.

21 Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame; let the poor and needy praise your name.

22 Arise, O God, defend your cause; remember how the foolish scoff at you all the day!

23 Do not forget the clamor of your foes, the uproar of those who rise against you, which goes up continually!