Judaism, the religion of the Jews, have different categories to classify the Gentiles (non-Jews) even today. There are those who are "righteous" Gentiles - ethical monotheists, no matter what religion they practice. They are bound by Noah's seven commandments, but these Gentiles are not part of the Jewish "society." Then there are those "righteous" Gentiles who desire to join the Jewish society. These Gentiles go to their court and promise to live by the Jewish Law (613 commandments). The last category is comprised of those Gentiles who are idolaters. They don't care about entering Jewish society and don't care about becoming ethical monotheists. Jews stay away from them and avoid mixing with them.
In Jesus' day, when the Temple was functional, Gentiles were not allowed to worship together with Jews. They had to gather in a different courtyard altogether. There were different areas of worship and the further away from the ark of the covenant (holy of holies), the less important. The first area was designated for the priests. The second area was for Israel. The third courtyard was for women. And the last and furthest one surrounding all others, was for the Gentiles to worship. The Gentiles were treated like second class citizens even if they converted to Judaism.
Peter's message to Cornelius and his family is that God shows no partiality! That's the message of the Gospel. He explains that the Jesus the Jews killed was the one God sent to preach the good news of the Gospel and God raised him from the dead calling them to continue to preach the good news. This Jesus is the one that the prophets proclaimed. And without exception, everyone who believes in his name is granted forgiveness of sins. And to seal the truth of Peter's preaching, the Holy Spirit fell upon the believers in Cornelius' home causing them to speak in tongues and praise God. The fact that Gentiles enjoyed the same gifts from God was evidence enough to understand that God shows no partiality. Jew and Gentile are to be treated with equality.
In a world filled with prejudice and racism, we make distinctions by ethnicity, skin color, nose size, height, education, socio-economic status, political views, theological views, etc, etc, etc. This is contrary to the Gospel! God is calling people from all nations to come to him and worship him as one, bringing down the barriers that divide us. The Church should strive to be a place of integration for believers coming from all kinds of different backgrounds. There is no room for partiality in the kingdom! The Gospel calls us to renounce prejudice and racism. In the kingdom of God there is no white, black, yellow or brown church. There is only one Church!
I must learn to love my brothers and sisters from all countries around the world as well as my brothers and sisters from around Chicagoland. I should not judge them for their looks or for their past life. Ex-gangsters, ex-addicts, ex-prostitutes as well as the homeless and the poor, no matter their country of origin, should be viewed as brothers and sisters in the family of God.
Father, teach me to love all people. Break down the barriers in my heart that hold me back from loving as you love. Fill me with your Spirit and pour your love in my heart free from prejudice and racism. Amen.
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