MONDAY May 15, 2023
Jesus Is the Reason
Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?” And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” Then he invited them in and lodged them.
Acts 10:21-23
Directed by the Lord, Peter went to speak to three Gentile men who requested to meet with him, without knowing the reason. He was told about Cornelius’ vision and how he had requested Peter to come and share with him, but at this time, Peter had no idea of what to say to him. However, Peter knew the Lord was ministering to him through the vision he was given. As we read this account, we already know the reason–– Jesus is the reason.
Something extraordinary happened. He allowed Gentile men to stay the night at his house! According to the Law, if a Gentile entered the home of a Jew, that home would become ceremonially unclean. Peter began to take down the wall that existed between the Jew and the Gentile.
The power of the Gospel message breaks down the wall between man and God. Jesus’ sacrifice has purged our sin that had caused us to be separated from God: For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation. ... that He [Christ] might reconcile them [us] both to God in one body through the cross... (Ephesians 2:14, 16).
In Galatians 3:27-28, we see that the Gospel has the power to break down the wall of racism. There is nothing left to divide us:
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
What is the reason we must come to the Cross? We all need Jesus!
The death and resurrection of the Son of God for sinners is the only sufficient power to bring the bloodlines of race into the single bloodline of the Cross.
~John Piper~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
