May 9, 2021 Text: Acts 10:34-38
Dear Friends in Christ,
About 10 years ago we had the opportunity to tour the George Bush (Sr) Presidential Library on the campus of Texas A & M University. One of the highlights was seeing a part of the Berlin Wall. This was the wall erected in 1961 to separate free West Berlin with Communist East Berlin. It eventually came down in 1989 during the administration of President Bush. The surprising part of seeing the wall in person was its size – both in height and in depth. It helped to understand the barrier it posed.
Humanity struggles to break down walls, only to find others being built. The resurrection of Jesus, however, has forever changed this world. Jesus’ cross holds out the victory that pulls down one wall after another. In place of walls, God’s love…
“BINDS US TOGETHER IN CHRIST”
Our text begins with these comforting words, “God shows no partiality.” What are you partial to? I like long hot showers and soft toilet paper. Have you struggled with partiality? A parent who you felt loved a brother or sister more? A coach who favored a fellow player? A teacher who liked a friend a little more? God is different. As the Creator of us all He binds us together in His Word around one salvation.
The partiality question came up as it relates to Jew and Gentile. The idea that God favored or had fondness for one over the other. There was no wall of separation in the eyes of the Lord. They had cultural differences but the Word given to Israel is God’s love for the Gentiles: “Good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)” (v. 36)
The love the Father has for all people is without exception. He is a wall breaker. Are we guilty of building walls? Sure. We may shun those with whom we disagree. We might belittle those we think are below us. We don’t always understand other cultures and their practices. God’s Word of love means peace. He binds people together because His salvation is for all who believe.
God’s Son Jesus is the Word made flesh. He was always “doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil.” (v. 38) Jesus’ death was the ultimate act of love to save sinners. His enemies “put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day.” (vs. 39-40) Christ saw the cross to be the cure binding all to him. Now Jesus is to be the “judge of the living and the dead” (v. 42), but for all who believe in Him, the judgment will be forgiveness of sins. (v. 43)
Jesus is our wall breaker. He has a fondness for all men and women because He died for all. His love has no bounds. He is a binding force. His forgiveness and gift of salvation binds all people to Him for eternity.
This binding love was then shown in action. The Holy Spirit showed Peter the love he was to have for the Gentiles. The Spirit made audible the love he has for all people. It goes beyond the walls built by man, for “the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.” (v. 44)
Love meant Peter was not to get in the way of God’s work in the Gospel. The miracle of his hearers’ speaking in tongues confirmed the greater miracle. “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” (v. 47)
We see the same love of the Holy Spirit shared around Word and Sacraments. These are the means that create our faith. These are the means that build our faith. These are the means that lead us to share our faith. These are the means that tear down walls and bind us together as One. Our confession of Jesus arises. Men will still build walls real and imagined, but a right belief in Jesus entrusts us to His Commandments, His forgiveness, and His faithfulness for everyone.
God loves to bind our lives together by the Word of Christ. The risen Christ breaks down the walls we put up and replaces them with salvation for everyone. Lord, help us to live this now and forever.
Amen.