"What's At Stake?"
Luke 24:1-12 Acts
Of all people we are among the most privileged. I am not thinking in economic terms although that is true as well. We are part of a privileged religious community. We know about Easter, we know about the resurrection of Jesus. We have the truth about the way of salvation. What are we going to do with that truth? What does it mean to follow a Risen Savior? The story of Peter and Cornelius may shed some light on that.
Cornelius was a centurion, a Roman soldier, who enjoyed social status and wealth. Cornelius was also a devout man, a God fearing Gentile. He worshipped the God of the Hebrews but he was not a proselyte. He was not circumcised, he did not observe the food laws. He gave alms liberally, he prayed constantly. He was the perfect Gentile to bridge the gap between Judaism and Christianity, to show that Judaism is the perfect preparation for Christianity.
But Cornelius would have to give up something to become a follower of Jesus. His loyalty to Caesar would be questioned. Would he be willing to give up his social status and wealth to become a Christian?
Peter had a different issue to deal with. Peter was under the assumption that Gentiles needed to become Jews before they could become Christian. To associate with someone like Cornelius, to think Cornelius could become a Christian without first becoming a Jew would offend his sisters and brothers back in
When Peter and Cornelius meet there is a lot at stake. Cornelius is challenged to give up his identity as a member of the elite power group and his loyalty to Caesar. Peter is challenged to give up his membership as part of the religious elect. They both have to consider where their true loyalty lies.
When Peter announces that God is not partial it is both good news and bad news. It is good news that Cornelius can be included. But it also means that there are no longer insiders and outsiders. In the
When we do mission work, when we open up the church to others, I think that we often think of it in terms of what is the cost to us, what will we have to give up, what will we be called upon to sacrifice. And yes, there is a cost in following Jesus. There is a cost involved in providing a food pantry. There is a cost involved in hosting IHN. There is a cost involved in providing a tutoring program. There is a cost involved in building an elevator so that every one can participate as much as possible in the life of the church. Whatever we do there is a cost involved whether it be time, talents or money. But we all knew that.
The new insight for me this week in the story of Peter and Cornelius is that it is not only those who share the gospel who may have to give something up but also those who receive it. I often think of what the cost will be to me. Very seldom do I think about what the cost will be to them. When someone new becomes a part of our community they have to give something up. It may be friends, it may be a life style, it may be old beliefs. That is important to remember. There is no question that giving something up for Christ is a good thing, but it is still difficult, it is not easy.
At the same time, if we are to invite certain people into the community, it may be at a cost. Maybe a friend won't like us any more, maybe someone will choose to leave the community, maybe someone will throw stones through our windows, maybe they will throw stones at us. We have to decide what is most important, our loyalty to Jesus or our loyalty to some other way of life, community or organization.
On the cross Jesus died for all. It was an offering of love. As Peter Lodal said on Friday night, Paid In Full. There was a cost involved. And now there is a cost involved in accepting him as Lord and Savior and there is a cost involved in following him.
Jesus believed we were worth dying for. If you ever have a day when you feel like you are not worth anything, remember that. You are worth something to Jesus. He believed you were worth dying for. Peter believed that the salvation of Cornelius was worth more than his status in the religious community so he baptized him. Cornelius believed that becoming a follower of Jesus was more important than his privileged social status, so he was willing to be baptized. Are we willing to give up anything to follow Jesus? Are we willing to give up anything so that people who are different from us can come to know the love of Jesus?
The good news is that on the third day Jesus rose from the dead. He is Risen. I hope it is good news that this didn't happen just for you and for me, but for everyone, everyone willing to answer the call to follow me. As Peter found out when he encountered Cornelius this call is a call to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, for God shows no partiality.