For God so loved all the world
by Pastor Glenn Crouch
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I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism (Acts 10:34b).
Read Acts 10:34-48
Have you noticed that in many paintings, Jesus often doesn’t look like he is from the Middle East? A few years back I saw a wonderful painting of the crucifixion in which Jesus and all those involved were from Papua New Guinea. I think you can guess the nationality of the artist. I do think it is important that we embrace the fact that Jesus lived, died and rose again for all those in our culture (including you and me!). The Bible teaches that God became one of us, and adopting Jesus into our culture is one of the ways to proclaim this.
However, this can lead to problems if we overlook that the gospel is for ‘all nations’, not just my nation. We see this with Peter and his colleagues. After Peter’s sermon, which was eagerly anticipated by the Gentile listeners, we have a wonderful outpouring of the Holy Spirit. These people did not need to give up their Roman ways and become Jews. They put their trust in Jesus, received the Holy Spirit and were baptised. They were as fully Christian as any in the Jerusalem church.
Our God so loved all of us – regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, etc – that he sent Jesus to live the life of obedience that we all fail to live; to carry all of our sins upon the cross, so that we all rise to life eternal through his resurrection.
This is probably a good time to examine ourselves (and our churches) to make sure that we are not excluding those who are different from us. For those of different backgrounds within your congregation, maybe you can find ways in which you can celebrate and experience that difference. Look into ways you can support organisations that spread the gospel, in word and in deed, throughout different countries.
Father, you are our creator, sustainer and redeemer. May any barriers to the spread of your gospel be removed. Through your Holy Spirit help me to show your love to my friends and family, as well as to those who have different backgrounds. Help me to see people as you see people. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the Pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and also looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Karen and he have been married since 1985 and have two grown sons – and have recently become grandparents.
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