Contemplative Bible Reading

Acts 11:48 (New Living Translation)

18 When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.”

In this verse, Peter is explaining to Jews why he entered the home of Gentiles. That was the wrong thing to do, enter the home of Gentiles. Peter’s explanation convinces the Jews about the Gentiles believing in Jesus as the Christ.

The Jews, “stopped objecting and began praising God.”

This was no small thing. It was a really big deal. History changed. Following Jehovah the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God who created all, was now open to people who were not descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Everyone else could do this and receive the benefit.

Everyone else now had the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.

My ancestors were not related to Abraham (as best as I can tell). That doesn’t matter. I can follow Jesus the Jew from Nazareth. I have the same privilege as Peter and the other Jews in the room. Of course. Right? No, it is not “of course.” It is a miraculous gift from God. It is a change in the history of mankind.

Please God, let me never forget the miracle of all this. Let me not forget the privilege You have given me.