David Bahn – Reflections

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Acts 10:34-48

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, ³⁵ but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. ³⁶ As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), ³⁷ you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. ³⁹ And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, ⁴⁰ but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, ⁴¹ not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

⁴⁴ While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. ⁴⁵ And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. ⁴⁶ For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, ⁴⁷ “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

We’ve been watching The Chosen, an Angels studio production depicting the ministry of Jesus, and especially centering in on Jesus’ chosen (hence the name of the series) disciples. The remarkable thing of the series is how it makes the lives of the disciples seem very real, with all their struggles and daily life challenges and joys. That has to be imagined. There is some creative license allowed to make this a compelling story. All the while when the Jesus character is teaching or performing miracles, the words and actions portrayed are extremely true to Scripture. Sometimes they put words in Jesus’ mouth that are certainly imagined. “Get used to different,” he says when Jesus calls Matthew to follow him. (See the clip below).

Jesus’ ministry was different in almost every possible way. He did not align himself with the religious leaders of his day. He challenged their understanding and interpretation of the Laws of Moses. He claimed to be before Abraham. He hung out with sinners and tax collectors. In fact he called the tax collector Matthew to be one of his chosen 12 disciples. These 12 he would name apostles (sent ones) and send them into the world to preach the good news of peace through faith in him.

Most unusually, Jesus chose those who would follow him as his disciples. They were the chosen ones. Jesus even makes a point of this by telling them, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (John 15:16)

Peter makes the point as he speaks to Cornelius, that there were certain chosen ones who were to be witnesses to his resurrection. Such a choice! Sometimes I wonder how they felt about that. They certainly knew it was a privilege to have seen Jesus after his resurrection. To be shown that Jesus was really alive – repeatedly at that – was an amazing blessing. But the blessing is also a burden. They can’t help but speak of what they had seen and heard. And sometimes it would bring trouble to them.

They were chosen for a purpose – and so are we. In his mercy, love, kindness, and grace he chose us to receive the forgiveness of sins and salvation through faith in Jesus. Sometimes that may seem to be a burden. But in the end we will rejoice in his grace to us. We and all creation will praise him for his glorious grace. For we have been chosen: a far greater blessing than it is a burden.