2026 Pentecost Devotions III
Friday, October 16
Acts 10:34-43
34 Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every people anyone who fears him and practices righteousness is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
“… 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. …”
Jesus is acclaimed as the Prince of Peace. Peter says here that the message God sent to the world was one of peace. “Blessed are the peacemakers,” Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount. Again and again, the Scriptures call upon God’s people to work for peace. Yet, it seems that the last thing our world wants is peace.
I read a meme the other day that implicated Moslems as terrorists because no Christian ever killed another in Jesus’ name. Of course, historically, that’s false. History is replete with stories of Christians killing non-Christians and even other Christians in Jesus’ name. Unfortunately, peace seems to be very elusive even among the faithful. Yet, the call to peace remains.
A friend of mine recently noted that peace begins at home – within our own hearts. When we can discover and maintain peace within, it’s easier to promote peace without. Thankfully, as Peter states, the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives engenders peace. The more we are connected to the Spirit through prayer and practice, the more likely we will find peace within ourselves and become messengers of peace in the world.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you come as the Prince of Peace and empower us for peace through the Spirit. Fill me with Your peace this day and make me an instrument of Your peace every day. Amen.