Day 5: Good News of Peace for Everyone
Bible passage: Acts 10:34–36
A Door Nobody Expected to Open
Today is Wednesday 5th of January 2022. Welcome to Day 5 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Today we stand in a house in Caesarea where the story of the church changes for ever.
Up to this point almost every follower of Jesus has been Jewish. Then God gives a Roman officer named Cornelius a vision, and gives Peter a vision too. A few days later Peter does something he would never have done before. He walks into a Gentile home.
The Message Peter Preached
No Favourites
Looking at a room full of people he had been raised to avoid, Peter says he now understands that God has no favourites. In every nation, God welcomes those who honour Him and do what is right (Acts 10:34–35).
Peace with God
Then Peter sums up the whole gospel in a single line: “there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” Acts 10:36 (NLT)
Every person’s deepest need is peace with God. Sin had made us His enemies, but through the cross we have been put right with Him. Paul says the same: since we have been made right by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). Every other kind of peace flows from that one.
Peter’s listeners were soldiers and their families, people who knew all about the peace Rome enforced with the sword. Peter announces a different peace under a different Lord. Caesar claimed to be lord of all. Peter says that title belongs to Jesus.
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on everyone who was listening. God Himself confirmed that the door was wide open.
A Church for All Nations
Why This Matters to Us
Most of us are followers of Jesus today because of what happened in that house. The good news did not stay in one nation. It reached ours. And the name of our church reminds us every week that this gospel is for people of every nation, background and story.
Living It Out
Give thanks. Thank Jesus that you have peace with God. You do not have to earn it or fear losing it.
Cross a threshold. Who is your Cornelius? Is there someone you have assumed would not be interested in Jesus? Pray for them and take one step towards them.
Pray for the nations. Psalm 96 calls us to tell every nation that the Lord reigns. Pray for a country on your heart, and for the nations represented in our church family.
Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, thank You that through Your cross I have peace with God. Thank You that Your good news reached me. Forgive me for the times I have decided who would or would not listen. Give me courage to cross the room, the street and the cultural lines You are calling me to cross. Let every nation hear of Your peace. Amen.
Keep going
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