“Assignment”

Today's reading - Acts 10:42-43 (NIV): 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

Peter has been speaking truth in the verses we have covered over the past few days and including today’s selection. Here, Peter is telling the disciples that God appointed Jesus Christ as judge and they are to preach this message to the people. They must be wondering how this message would be received by those who were not yet believers and rightly so. This message was not new, it had traveled ahead of them and stories had been told and some had faced much opposition, persecution and even death.

I was raised to think for myself but also to respect authority; an example would be to respect the decisions of the leadership within the congregation of which I am a member. I may disagree with a decision or program that is new or changed, but I should respect those in leadership roles that were willing to make the tough decisions. The disciples know that God had been speaking to and working with Peter preparing him for their new assignments and by listening they are beginning to respect him as a result.

It is human nature to judge what we think should or should not be done, whether something is right or wrong or form personal opinions of others when we don’t know the total picture. Here the disciples are being told Jesus is the ultimate judge anointed by God. Their assignment is to preach it! Jesus will forgive sins but if people don’t know that they have no opportunity to believe it. Spreading the good news begins with this assignment, one spoken by God to Peter.

Looking forward to my assignment.

Dorothy Drago Brucks
Aldersgate UMC
Nixa, Mo.
www.aldersgatechurch.com