v 18 When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.”
Peter’s arrival back in Jerusalem brought consternation! ‘Whatever next! Have you heard that Peter has been visiting Gentiles, and eating with them?’
It is as if the sky had fallen in! The pre-eminent Disciple seemed to have gone off the rails as far as they were concerned. So the whole story is repeated – and the light shines in Jerusalem too. My mind goes rushing back to the Nativity story in Luke 2, where the elderly Simeon comes face to face with the infant Jesus, and sings this song: (Called the ‘Nunc Dimittis)
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
Right from the beginning, in the Temple at Jerusalem, Jesus is seen as the one who would bring light to the Gentiles. At this point the stories come together as the gathered Christian community lifts it’s voice in praise that Gentiles are included in the promises of God.
Nobody is excluded from the possibility of welcome into God’s Kingdom.
And if God welcomes all, can we do anything less?
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