Peter Misselbrook's Blog
Mar 3 2020 - Acts 10:24-48 – God of surprises

When Peter arrived at the house of Cornelius the Centurion he discovered that Cornelius had assembled a party of relatives and friends, all of them eager to hear what Peter had to tell them.

As soon as Peter entered the house, Cornelius fell at his feet in reverence. Peter’s reaction shows us that he had learnt well the lesson the Lord had been teaching him through visions from heaven. The Jews had long expected that when the Messiah arrived the Gentile nations would be brought to acknowledge that the God of Israel is the only true God. But, based on such passages as Isaiah 49:22-23 and 60:10-14, they had looked for the day when Gentiles would come to bow down at their feet and serve them. But Peter will have none of it. He immediately tells Cornelius, “Stand up, I am only a man myself.” Peter had learnt that Gentiles were to be welcomed into the kingdom on equal terms with Jews. It’s a remarkable moment.

Cornelius then explains that an angel had instructed him to send for Peter and that they were therefore assembled in the presence of the Lord waiting to hear what he had to say to them from the Lord.

Peter explains how the Lord had also appeared to him and enabled him to overcome the taboo against associating with Gentiles. He then goes on to speak of Jesus as one who was empowered by the Holy Spirit during his earthly ministry. He speaks also of Jesus' death and resurrection and tells the assembled crowd that all of the prophets spoke of Jesus. He is the one whom God has appointed to judge the living and the dead. All who put their trust in Jesus will have their sins forgiven – for them, judgment has become history.

As Peter is speaking to them the Holy Spirit fell upon these Gentiles in unmistakable fashion; they praised God and spoke in other languages. This astonished many of those who had come along with Peter; they were not expecting that Gentiles would receive the Holy Spirit in the same way as they had. But in the face of these unmistakable evidences of their faith in Jesus and their acceptance by God, Peter has them baptised and welcomed into the family of Jesus.

Why were some of Peter's companions so amazed that the Holy Spirit who had empowered Jesus ministry and had been poured out on the first disciples at Pentecost, was now poured out on these Gentiles? After all, the Lord had appeared to Peter and told him to go to Cornelius and had appeared to Cornelius to tell him to send for Peter. If the Lord had done all this, why be surprised when he brought them to faith and gave them the Spirit? Furthermore, this is what Jesus himself had said in commissioning the disciples just before his ascension into heaven – they are to take the message to all peoples. Nevertheless, when God shows that he accepts the Gentiles through faith in Jesus in precisely the same way as he accepts Jews they are taken by surprise.

Like these Jews, we become used to the status quo and, despite the promises and purpose of God, don't really expect him to act in unfamiliar ways. When were you last surprised by God's unexpected activity in someone's life?

Lord, surprise me today by the profligacy of your grace and then make me ashamed of my surprise. Teach me afresh the greatness of your love and what it means that you do not show favouritism but accept all who fear you and do what is right.

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Mar 3 2019 - Psalm 23 – The Lord our shepherd

David had been a shepherd boy, looking after his father's sheep. He had led them to places where there was green pasture for them to feed on. He had sought out streams of fresh water for them in a dry land. He had protected them from wild animals that threatened them, from the paw of the bear and of the lion; he had risked his life to keep his sheep from harm.

His experience in caring for sheep had set him thinking – perhaps even composing this psalm while at watch on the mountainside one night. He had realised that just as he cared for, protected and provided for his sheep so also, in a far more wonderful way, God cared for and looked after him. What an amazing thought is expressed in these simple words, "The Lord is my shepherd." David has come to see that the creator of the universe cared intimately for him and was concerned about the detailed circumstances of his life. He is loved by God.

But this beautiful and much loved psalm was intended to be used by all of God's people in their worship; it is not a private psalm. It speaks of God's wonderful care for each one of us. It reminds us that God's care of us extends into every day of our lives to the day of our death and then beyond: we will "dwell in the house of the Lord forever." David had come to realise that God's tender care of those he has made his own never comes to an end. We need not be afraid of anything but can confidently rest in God's care of us in life and in death.

Notice how this psalm speaks of the Lord, our Shepherd, leading us: "He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." In the Middle East, a shepherd would lead his sheep. He would not drive them along in front of him, let alone send a dog to round them up. The shepherd would call to his sheep and lead them in the way he wanted them to go; they, in turn, would recognise his voice and follow him. They would not need to go anywhere that the shepherd had not gone before them.

But not only is the Lord our Shepherd who goes before us, his goodness and mercy also follow us all the days of our life. We are surrounded by the protective hand of the Lord who will enable us to triumph over all that threatens us.

The psalm points us to the Lord Jesus who spoke of himself as the Good Shepherd. He cares for us and has loved us so much that he laid down his life for us that we might be saved from death. And not only did he die for us, he is also raised from the dead for us and lives for ever as the Great Shepherd of the sheep. He calls us to follow him. He leads us in paths of righteousness and refreshes or restores our souls. He protects us from all those powers that threaten us so that nothing will separate us from the love of God our Father in Christ Jesus. He fills us with joy in his presence. His goodness and love never leave us; they pursue us all the days of our life. He is the Great Shepherd who ensures that not one of those who have been given into his care will be lost.

And he calls us to follow him; to walk the path he has walked. We are to care for one another as he cares for us. He calls us also to have compassion upon a world of people who are like sheep without a shepherd. He calls us to join him in seeking those who are lost and urging them to return to the one who alone can be the Shepherd of their souls.

Father God, thank you for this wonderful psalm. Thank you especially for the Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd and Great Shepherd of the sheep. Help me always to hear his voice and follow him. Refresh my soul today and lead me in paths of righteousness for your name's sake. Deliver me from all evil. Comfort me with your presence and lead me to glory.

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Peter Misselbrook