God's Grace Is Bigger Than We Imgagine

As part of my recent trip to Israel, I revisited Caesarea Maritima, and the ruins of the ancient port city created by Herod the Great.  

Not only was it a spectacular city in its day, complete with a hippodrome, theater, and sprawling neighborhoods, but it also became the main headquarters of the provincial Roman governor and the Roman legion he commanded.  

As we visited the site, I began reflecting on the story of Cornelius, the commander of that legion from Acts chapter 10, and how the Good News of Jesus spread to him and his family after Peter received a remarkable vision.  

God's inclusive grace is one of the most profound aspects of God's love. It extends beyond boundaries, prejudices, and divisions to embrace all people. 

In Acts chapter 10, we see a powerful demonstration of this divine truth through the story of Peter and Cornelius, a Roman centurion. This narrative challenges us to examine our own hearts and perceptions and invites us to deepen our understanding of God's boundless grace.

In the vision Peter received, he saw a great sheet descending from heaven, filled with all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds. 

A voice commanded him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat." But Peter, being a devout Jew, responded, "Surely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." 

The voice responded, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." This vision was not merely about food; it was a divine lesson about the scope of God's acceptance and grace. God revealed to Peter that what He purposed to make clean could no longer be considered unclean by human standards.

This lesson was further reinforced by the encounter with Cornelius, a Gentile. As Peter arrived at Cornelius’s home in Caesarea, he met a Roman soldier with longstanding ties to the Roman occupying force, and he was entering unfamiliar cultural and spiritual territory. 

For a Jewish man in the 1st century, this was groundbreaking. Jews typically maintained strict boundaries between themselves and Gentiles, perceiving the latter as outside God's covenant. Yet, Peter’s visit marked a significant shift—from exclusive to inclusive.

The story culminates with Peter recognizing that God's grace is for everyone. After sharing the Gospel, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard, regardless of their background. 

This event was a tangible sign that Jesus' message was meant for individuals of every nation, race, and status. God's grace isn't limited by human divisions; it demolishes barriers to create a new, unified community in Christ.

This story invites us to reflect on how we see others, especially those different from us. Sometimes, our perceptions and prejudices can create invisible walls that hinder us from experiencing God's full grace through others. 

But God's message in Acts 10 is clear: God's love is all-encompassing, and God's grace extends to everyone, regardless of race, nationality, or background.

As followers of Christ, we are called to mirror this divine inclusivity in our lives. We are challenged to confront our biases and broaden our understanding of who is truly "inside" God's family. 

God's grace teaches us to see others as God sees them—with compassion, acceptance, and love. When we embrace this truth, we become part of God's mission to break down barriers and build bridges of grace.

I encourage you today to consider how you view those who differ from you. 

Are you open to God's vision of inclusivity? Remember, God's grace is for all—it's for you, me, and everyone around us. Let us strive to reflect God's love more fully, welcoming others with the same grace that God freely extends. In doing so, we participate in God's divine plan of unity, hope, and salvation for all people.

May it be so, and may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all, now and forever. Amen.