Acts 10:44-48
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit took control of everyone who was listening. Some Jewish followers of the Lord had come with Peter, and they were surprised that the Holy Spirit had been given to Gentiles. Now they were hearing Gentiles speaking unknown languages and praising God.
Peter said, “These Gentiles have been given the Holy Spirit, just as we have! I am certain that no one would dare stop us from baptizing them.” Peter ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and they asked him to stay on for a few days.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
For more than a quarter century, our community held a fall festival that included a big parade on Saturday. One year in the 1970s, a Little Rock television station sent a camera man to cover the event from the roof top of a store on Main Street. This was like “free publicity” for our festival. But there was one problem. The camera man was black…and at that time, virtually everyone in our community was white. I am ashamed to say that this man’s presence was the “talk of the town” – for weeks.
Never mind that he was a human being just like every single one of us. Forget that he was here doing a job…and doing it well - and for the benefit of our community. Don’t consider that he might have been a husband, father…and maybe even a faithful member of a church congregation in his own community. All most people saw was the color of his skin…and it was not the same as theirs. And they could not get over it.
Thankfully, we have evolved…a little. There is still much work to be done. We gawk at people and are critical and condescending when they are “different”. We laugh at the “People of Wal-Mart” videos…and we look down our noses at those who enter our sanctuaries looking dirty or disheveled…wearing clothing that is not what we consider appropriate…sporting hairstyles and body art that are “out there”…or smelling a little “off”. We pigeon-hole children at an early age as coming from “one of those families”…and we are scared to death of those who are from certain ethnicities or express a different sexual orientation. And none of this lines up with the teachings of Jesus.
Pay close attention to Peter’s words to the church. God loves these people just as much as He loves you and me – and many of them are fellow believers! I think it’s going to be amazing when we get to heaven and see who all is there. Some of us may be quite shocked!
The time has come for us to open our hearts and minds...to see others as God sees them…to understand that you and I do not corner the market on God’s love – or the promise of eternity in heaven. It is time to open our arms and welcome others…just as Jesus does…to see them as Jesus sees them…and to operate in His love, tolerance and inclusion. God does not discriminate…and neither should we!
©2015 Debbie Robus
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