May 19, 2019 Text: Acts 11:1-18
Dear Friends in Christ,
Before I share this true story with you, I need to say that Toni and I may not be Mr. and Mrs. today if this had happened to us. Here is what transpired.
In October 2017, a stray dog crashed a wedding. A couple named Matheus and Marilia were getting married in Brazil. They planned an outdoor wedding but rain forced them under a tent. Unfortunately for the guests, the storm brought a dog. They tried to get the dog to leave but he kept coming back. Then he did the unthinkable plopped right down on the bride’s dress during her vows and went to sleep. Surprisingly, the bride left him there. I think she was too frightened to move!
This wasn’t the only “dog” that crashed a wedding. Our text from the Book of Acts leads us to this Scriptural truth . . .
“SALVATION FOR ALL – EVEN GENTILES”
The Jews thought the Gentiles were dogs. They had other names for them – heathen, outsiders, reckless. There was not a lot of love between these two groups. That is why the Word concerning the Gentiles and Peter’s vision was so shocking. This meant they – the Gentiles – could be part of the wedding of Jesus and His bride, the Church!
This shouldn’t be so shocking. Recall what God said to Abraham: “I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.” (Gen. 17:5b) Then there was the parable Jesus taught about the wedding feast. The invited Jews wouldn’t come so Jesus explained the king sent his servants to find other guests on the roads and bring them so that the wedding hall would be filled. And it was filled, even with Gentiles. Those stray, unclean dogs!
This was the thinking of the Jews. They let Peter know, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” (v. 3) Don’t you know you don’t do that? They are Gentiles and we are Jews?
But God included them. The Gentiles were on the guest list and there would be room in heaven for them. Peter had to explain through his vision and he gave evidence of the word of Jesus and then look what happened. They were convinced. They allowed for the dog.
Our concluding verse tells us: “They glorified God, saying, ‘Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.’” (v. 18) This was a bombshell and it shook the world back then.
God’s Word is the same yesterday, today and forever. Because of that listen to this from the Book of Romans: “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Rom. 10:12-13) Christ died for all. The sins of the whole world were nailed to the cross. Salvation is for all.
Now that is big news. I must admit it. There will be Packers and Cardinal fans in heaven. There will be people who right now hate Jesus and the Church and His Word and they will be singing with us around the throne of the Lamb. How do I know this? Ever heard of Saul? Maybe you know him a little better as the Apostle Paul. Scripture says he was “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord.” (Acts 9) Just think if he had a blog today. What would he be saying about us Christians? It wouldn’t be kind. But the Lord loved him and changed his heart. Do you join with me in looking forward to meeting him in your heavenly home?
I know people on the outside of the Lord’s Church can bother us. I try to remind myself that they are misguided just like Paul was. Why do the agnostic and atheist fight so hard against Christ if they don’t believe in Him? It’s because there is a flicker of something bigger than them or they ponder the world and how it got here. The Lord hasn’t given up on them. Love them. Pray for them. Put it in the Lord’s hands, He can do the rest. Doesn’t the Bible make this promise: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” It sure does!
Remember the wedding crasher? It seems the dog came and went. The reception went on as planned. The dog finally disappeared. But days later, the couple found him . . . they cleaned him up . . . adopted him . . . and named him Snoop. Who would have thought?
Then again, who would have thought the Lord would find us, clean us up, and adopt us into His family? Who would think the Lord would give us a place at His table? We commonly pray, “Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest . . .” But we don’t make up the guest list. We are always Jesus’ guests at the heavenly banquet table, always by His grace in giving His life for us. He loves us strays – who would have thought? He may just be bringing others guests to the table with Him. But as you know . . . there is plenty of room for more.
Amen.