The Text (Acts 10:36–43)
“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.”
An Insight
This week’s passage is Peter’s sermon to the Roman centurion Cornelius and his family. Notice the snapshot Peter gives of Jesus’ earthly ministry: God anointed him the with Holy Spirit and power, he did good wherever he went, and even healed those suffering under the bondage of Satan. This snapshot is followed by the basic gospel message that fills the entire book of Acts: Jesus was put to death, but God has raised him from the dead and exalted him. The gospel is good news not because an inspiring, loving, and compassionate person once lived among us. It is good news because he still lives.
A Timeless Principle
Jesus has risen from the dead. This is the glorious news we proclaim every Lord’s Day and that we especially celebrated yesterday on Easter Sunday. This means that Jesus continues to do the good things he did while he was on earth. He has sent the same Spirit with which he was anointed to his people, he continues to do good everywhere he is present, and he offers true healing to everyone from the bondage of Satan, sin, and death. The witnesses of his resurrection are no longer with us, but we have heard their message, as Cornelius has, and we have been entrusted with it.
Living the Text
Jesus lives. The good news is true. Sometimes, though, we may catch ourselves living as though it is not true. We can be blind to the good he continues to do, or we may choose to not take part in it so that he can work through us. We can sometimes act as though the Spirit he has given us and that inspired the Scriptures is less powerful than the hard things in life and the evil in our world. We can sometimes continue to live like we are still in bondage even though Christ has set us free. It can be easy to lose sight of these eternal truths when the difficulties of this temporary life are pressing down on us. The resurrection, however, remains the foundation for experiencing genuine goodness, freedom, and hope. May our lives be shaped today by this good and wonderful news.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We are humbled and gladdened by the resurrection of your Son. Thank you for raising him from the dead in victory, a victory that will one day be ours as well. Thank you for the immense good your Son continues to do at your right hand. Thank you for the Spirit he has sent upon his body, the church. Thank you for breaking the shackles of sin and freeing us to walk in the paths you have prepared for us. When the distractions and challenges of this world shift our focus away from these truths and back towards our old life, please direct us to them again. May we spread this good news into all the world as the witnesses of your Son did.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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