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| Essential 100 -- Peters and Corneliuses | | Date Created: Apr 22, 2005, 07:26 AM |
75 — Friday April 22 — Acts 10:1 - 11:18
I can't read this story anymore without wondering at the oddness of the situations. Peter refused non-kosher foods after spending 3 years with Jesus who declared all foods clean, after receiving the Holy Spirit, after being a Christian for a considerable time; an angel from the realms of glory saying that Peter, a mere mortal, will explain it better than he can; Cornelius bowing down to Peter -- imagine a US military commander inviting an Iraqi peasant for questioning then dropping to his knees and touching his forehead to the ground when the stranger arrives. What would Barabbas, the Revolutionary, have made of that!?!
There are plenty of passages that talk about how we should accept those who are less well off than we are -- most bluntly, perhaps, James 2. This passage is also about the building of what the Essential 100 booklet calls "a rainbow coalition", but Cornelius represents those who are better off than you and very religious/pious (10:1, 2). You're to read this passage thinking inclusively, but not primarily about including the guy down the road asking for money, Cornelius is more like the Cardinals in Rome and the traditionalist vicar and the conservative scholar who poo-poos stuff that you think is earth-shattering. When you do get your chance to talk to them, be like Peter -- don't be looking for them to bow down to you, be willing to accept them as full brothers and sisters. |
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