partiality

Clean and Unclean

Posted on by Betsy

In Acts 10, we read a remarkable account of a vision Peter had regarding clean and unclean foods. In that vision, God told him to kill and eat of any of the animals that were presented on a sheet, which included those considered unclean by Levitical Law. A pious Jew like Peter could not do this, but God commanded him to obey.

Immediately a delegation from Joppa was at his door, inviting him to come to with them to speak with their leader Cornelius, a well-respected centurion and righteous Gentile. When Peter arrived at the house, he told the large gathering that had assembled, “You all realize that it is forbidden for a Jew to associate or visit with outsiders. However, God has shown me that I should never call a person impure or unclean” (Acts 10:28). 

Acts 10 (Common English Bible)

 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in order to honor him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Get up! Like you, I’m just a human.” 27 As they continued to talk, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them, “You all realize that it is forbidden for a Jew to associate or visit with outsiders. However, God has shown me that I should never call a person impure or unclean. 29 For this reason, when you sent for me, I came without objection. I want to know, then, why you sent for me.”

30 Cornelius answered, “Four days ago at this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon, I was praying at home. Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me. 31 He said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayers, and your compassionate acts are like a memorial offering to him. 32 Therefore, send someone to Joppa and summon Simon, who is known as Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, located near the seacoast.’ 33 I sent for you right away, and you were kind enough to come. Now, here we are, gathered in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has directed you to say.”

34 Peter said, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. 35 Rather, in every nation, whoever worships him and does what is right is acceptable to him.36 This is the message of peace he sent to the Israelites by proclaiming the good news through Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all!

Peter demonstrated incredible growth in his understanding and knowledge of the truth of God’s inclusive call to righteousness. It was a huge departure from his previous way of thinking and helps us understand his passion for instructing people of faith on righteous behaviors and attributes in 2 Peter, as we read in our last devotional.

When he acknowledged that God accepts anyone who “does what is right,” the centuries-old wall between Jews and Gentiles was shattered and replaced with a bridge built of grace, love, and acceptance. Peter followed his own outline from faith to knowledge to affection for others to love. By the way, it always ends with love.

How deep and wide is your love? Do you still consider some groups of people to be “unclean”? This Scripture clearly states that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another.

If God doesn’t, how dare we?

This is my neighbor’s cat, Lola. She loves everybody.

Richness in Faith

Posted on by Betsy

American shows today seem to center on our fascination of what it means to be truly rich. We just can’t get enough! From heavy duty productions like Game of Thrones to silly indulgences like Succession and Palm Royale, the story of the ruthless wealthy class exalting in their ultra-privileged lives while the poor characters scrabble and fight and long to break in to that class is told over and over again. It’s almost biblical! Actually, it is biblical.

Our passage in James today plays with similar themes of rich and poor and asks us to consider what it means to be truly rich. The book of James is considered to be the first letter written in the New Testament and he wrote in an age of great prejudice and hatred based on class, nationality, and religious distinctions. The people lived with permanent categories that divided and separated them into Gentiles or Jews, free or slave, rich or poor, and Greek or barbarian. 

James 2 (Common English Bible)

 My brothers and sisters, when you show favoritism you deny the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has been resurrected in glory. 2 Imagine two people coming into your meeting. One has a gold ring and fine clothes, while the other is poor, dressed in filthy rags. 3 Then suppose that you were to take special notice of the one wearing fine clothes, saying, “Here’s an excellent place. Sit here.” But to the poor person you say, “Stand over there”; or, “Here, sit at my feet.” 4 Wouldn’t you have shown favoritism among yourselves and become evil-minded judges?

5 My dear brothers and sisters, listen! Hasn’t God chosen those who are poor by worldly standards to be rich in terms of faith? Hasn’t God chosen the poor as heirs of the kingdom he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Don’t the wealthy make life difficult for you? Aren’t they the ones who drag you into court? 7 Aren’t they the ones who insult the good name spoken over you at your baptism?

James’ letter attempts to break down these walls for the newly formed Christian community. His goal was to encourage them to see themselves as one race of believers under God. Paul echoed this sentiment in Ephesians 2:14-15 where he wrote that Jesus “made both Jews and Gentiles into one group”. 

But unity was a radical and shocking idea, much like the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s was in our time. James had to break down the notion that partiality should be shown to the rich and introduce the idea that richness in faith is the greater ideal. The poor were more likely to have this richness of faith because they had more opportunities to trust God and less obstacles to overcome than the rich. Indeed, the rich young ruler who questioned Jesus about how to get into heaven learned this the hard way (Matthew 19:16-22). 

Jesus came to be poor and lived his entire life in poverty. Putting too much stock in material wealth and “gold rings” is antithetical to a faith system that values the heart over appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). God isn’t partial to the rich. Neither should we be.

As we continue along in our Lent contemplations this week, it is good to pause and ask ourselves questions.How do you define richness? Are you pursuing richness in faith?

Richness in faith comes through trust in God and adherence to God’s Word. May we linger on that today.

“A bird, a turtle, and an alligator walk onto a bar …”