For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Acts 11
Why did Peter need to explain his actions to the Jewish Christian leaders? What happened next? People are interesting creatures. Instead of being glad and glorifying God when they heard about the Gentiles receiving the word of God, the circumcised believers got hung up on minor legalities. Therefore, their first response to Peter was, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” (Acts 11:3). Horrors! I actually haven’t seen any evidence that the Mosaic Law forbade such a thing, so I am betting that this was one of the gazillion “expansion laws” (my term) that the Jewish religious leaders formed around the Mosaic Law. Or perhaps it was merely considered a very socially unacceptable thing for Jews to do.
Whatever the case, this response was very typical of the Jewish self-righteousness of the time. How many times did Jesus call out the Jewish leaders for missing the point of God’s law? God’s law is all about how to love God and love people. But some focused so much on the laws themselves that they disregarded the purpose of the law. Missing the forest for the trees, so to speak. Though these Jews in Acts 11 counted themselves among those who believed in Jesus, they were still missing the point.
Fortunately, God is well acquainted with the human heart. And so He set up the entire interaction between Peter and Cornelius in such a way that not only prepared Peter’s heart for the task God called him to, but also showed those whose understandings remained entrenched in their old ways that God’s hand was undoubtedly in it. Indeed, after hearing the story they dropped their objections and said, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11:18b). I pray that God will keep my heart soft toward Him so that I will not be blinded by my own lack of understanding. I want to recognize His work and rejoice in it, not trifle over things that don’t matter.
Ex. 19-20
What are the terms of the covenant in v. 3-6? God set apart the Jews under the old covenant. He told them, “I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” (Ex. 19:4b). And He said, “Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Ex. 19:5b-6a). God does the same for us under the new covenant of Jesus. All who keep His covenant – abide in Christ – become God’s treasured possession.
Reflect on the Ten Commandments. I’ve never really noticed before, but right here in the Ten Commandments I see a foreshadowing of what was to come. Exodus 20: 5b-6 says, “for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments”. This is exactly what happened with the nations of Israel and Judah. Israel hated God, separating themselves from Him. Thus, household after household of rulers was wiped out after a few generations. But King David loved the LORD. So not only did God continue his line forever, but we are part of the thousand generations He blessed as a result.
Pr. 3
What verse in this chapter speaks to you? How will you apply it today? Proverbs 3:5-6 are well loved and widely quoted verses. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight”. Looking at this in light of my thoughts on Acts 11 this morning, I want to say that it’s okay if I don’t understand things. But I also want to say that not understanding is not the same as not having understanding.
As we saw in Acts 11, when we think we know things, it can cause us to miss God’s truth. The same thing happened in Jesus’ hometown. The people there missed seeing Him for who He was because they thought they knew Him. But when I accept that I don’t understand, I am far more likely to look to God for answers. It is then that He freely gives me His understanding so that I can know His truth and walk steadfastly in it.