Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Enhancing the Migrants and Refugees
Bible Reading: Acts. 10:30–35

Key verse:  
V 34-35 : “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right.”

DEVOTION

In Acts 10:30–35, we read about Peter’s encounter with Cornelius, a Roman centurion who feared God and sincerely sought to know Him. Cornelius was a Gentile, and during that time there were strong social, cultural, and religious barriers between Jews and Gentiles. Yet God was preparing Peter to understand an important truth: God does not show favoritism. Cornelius had prayed and sought God, and the Lord responded by sending Peter to him. At the same time, God prepared Peter through a vision to overcome his own traditional understanding of who could be accepted by God. When Peter arrived at Cornelius’ house, he saw a large group of people gathered there eagerly waiting to hear the word of the LORD. After hearing Peter’s message, they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, God demonstrated that He does not show partiality or favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right.

This message is especially meaningful when we meditate on today's topic, “Enhancing the migrants and refugees”. Throughout the Bible, God commands justice and provision for foreigners and vulnerable people. We see people leave their homes for many different reasons. Some leave voluntarily because of famine, natural disasters, or a desire to provide a safer future for their families and some are forced to leave their country due to wars and religious persecutions.

The Israelites were repeatedly told not to oppress the foreigners and refugees because they themselves were once vulnerable foreigners and slaves in Egypt. (Exodus 23:9). God specifically instructs them to leave part of their harvest for the poor and strangers (Leviticus 19:10).

As Christians, we are foreigners and pilgrims in this world and our home and citizenship is in heaven (1 Peter 2:11). As we live in this world, God calls us to love our neighbors and to live out the Gospel in action. We are called to welcome and care for others because it reflects God’s love and care for us. It is an opportunity to be salt and light, proclaiming the Gospel through our words and deeds. In Matthew 25:35, Jesus states.” I was a stranger and you welcomed me in”. This verse is part of the final judgment, here Jesus identifies himself with the poor and strangers. Peter’s experience teaches us that sometimes God has to change our hearts before He can use us to bless others. Peter had to learn that the Gospel was not limited to one nation or one group of people. The love and salvation of God are for people from every nation. The Church therefore has a responsibility to welcome, encourage and protect those who are vulnerable and share the Gospel with them. 

May we ask God to remove prejudice, fear, and indifference from our hearts. May He give us eyes to see migrants and refugees as He sees them—not as strangers, but as people worthy of dignity, compassion, and love.
 

PRAYER

"Heavenly Father, we thank You because You do not show favoritism and Your love extends to people from every nation. Give us compassionate hearts to welcome those who are vulnerable and needy. Use us to be instruments of Your grace and to show the love of Jesus through our words and actions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"If you can't feed a hundred people, feed just one” :- Mother Teresa

Glory Chacko
Epiphany Mar Thoma Church, New York.

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