Saturday, August 29, 2026
Scripture
Reflections
Are you ever afraid of what others will think of you?
In biblical times, Jews did not normally associate with Gentiles (non-Jews). In Acts 10, the Apostle Peter had a vision from God that changed this for him. No longer was he to stay away from the Gentiles. He was to eat with them and embrace his Gentile brothers and sisters in the faith. In Christ Jesus, there are not two groups but one.
When Peter got to Antioch, he slipped back to his old ways of staying away from the Gentiles. He succumbed to the peer pressure of the Jewish Christians who stayed away from the Gentile Christians. He was afraid of what they would think or say. As a result, the Apostle Paul called him to task. What kind of example was he setting? What were others learning from him?
As followers of Jesus, we know that there is really only one Church. The Spirit of Jesus Christ makes us one. As tempted as we may be to see ourselves in terms of our ethnic or political identities, our primary identity is in Christ Jesus and Christ Jesus alone. He does not want us to be alienated from one another but to embrace one another.
Don’t be afraid of what others will think. Love one another.
Prayer
Lord God, thank you for breaking down divisions within your Church through your Spirit. Help me to set aside differences and embrace my brothers and sisters in the faith. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Full Reading: Galatians 2:11-14