Even THEM?

Have you ever been a part of a members only type of club?  One of those elite organizations that only certain people are allowed to enter?  Perhaps a gated community?  Maybe a country club with membership restrictions? 

If you have then you can probably relate to a concern early in the days of the church in Acts 11.  The idea of repentance leading to life was thought to be only for the "insiders."  If you were a part of the in-crowd, then you would be accepted. But if you didn't belong to the right race - no such luck! Peter was just returning to the church from a visit with a man named Cornelius - who just happened to be one of them, an outsider, a person was not part of that in-crowd.  The church people, the Jews, had a hang-up with this.  They immediately questioned Peter about his actions.  You mean you ate with that guy?  You went into his house and actually sat at a table with a man of that foreign race? 

Peter then unloaded his most recent message from God that said basically that God doesn't descriminate.  He said that what he deems right - we have no business declaring wrong.  What he calls clean - we can't call unclean. 

You mean that the message of the good news of Jesus is for all people?  You mean that it is for them too? You mean that anyone can repent and receive the new life that Jesus offers? 

It was at that moment that the church started understanding how great and revolutionary this message of Jesus really was.  It was in this moment that the gospel was beginning to be understood.  Jesus' death paid for the sins of the whole world.  And his resurrection opened heaven to all people.  Jesus' actions made the outsiders welcome members of the in-crowd.  Jesus' death and resurrection promises all people, even the unlikables, that even they are welcome here! 

Lord help us to extend your hands to the unreached.  Give us boldness to share your love and forgiveness to those who are not part of the in-crowd. Amen.