Acts 10:34-43, Peter's brief sermon to the Roman centurion and his household, is often read on Easter Day as the First Reading appointed for the day. Its context - the conversion of the Roman centurion and his household - is critical for understanding its meaning. In a parallel way to the earthquake present in Matthew's account of the resurrection, another sort of earthquake is happening here, where the announcement is made that "God shows no partiality." This is a seismic shift. Nothing will be the same for the followers of Jesus following this announcement. In the same way, the resurrection of Christ rearranges all we thought we knew about God. The preacher's task will be to witness to this seismic activity.
(The following questions have been developed to help understand how the Word is functioning in the text, a fundamental concern of Law and Gospel preachers. These questions are not meant to be exhaustive, but are best used with other fine sets of questions which can open up a text. For more on this method and on Law and Gospel preaching in general, see my brief guide, Afflicting the Comfortable, Comforting the Afflicted, available from wipfandstock.com or amazon.)
1. How does the Word function in the text? There is almost nothing but Gospel here. The Word is functioning to tell us first that God shows no partiality and then how God works that out in Christ.
2. How is the Word not functioning in the text? There is little Law here, that is to say, the Word functioning to remind us of our need for a Savior. Near the end of this brief homily, however, Peter reminds us that Jesus has been ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. This mention of judgement is the only hint of Law here.
3. With whom are you identifying in the text? We are invited to take the part of Cornelius and his household, as well as Peter's companions, who are addressed by this text. This good news of God's work in Christ comes to us too.
4. What, if any, call to obedience is there in this text? Much like the brief hint of Law, there is also a brief hint of the Call to Obedience here when Peter tells that God has commanded those who witnessed Christ's resurrection to testify to it. This command comes to us as well.
5. What Law/Gospel couplet is suggested by this text? It might be fruitful to take the words of Gospel and create couplets by suggesting their counterpart. A few suggestions: enmity with God/the peace preached by Jesus Christ; sickness/healing of Christ; oppressed by the devil/released by Christ.
6. Exegetical work: William Willimon, in his contemporary commentary, says this: "Peter is not reading some new idea into the story; rather he is further penetrating the meaning of the affirmation that Jesus Christ is Lord." "One cannot have a Lord who is Lord of only one part of creation." (Interpretation series, Acts, p. 98). Matt Skinner, in his online Working Preacher commentary from 3/27/2016, also notes the significance of Peter's sermon for his discovery of God's impartiality: "Peter...describes Jesus' life, death, and resurrection for the explicit purpose of grounding and substantiating his conviction about God's impartiality. He talks about Jesus from the perspective of one who has only just recently come to realize God's embrace of all people." "Throughout the sermon Peter emphasizes God as the agent behind all aspects of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Because God was active through Jesus, Jesus' story attests God as welcoming of all, as refusing to make distinctions among people." Alan Brehm, in his online sermon for 3/8/2013, concurs: "It was one more sign that Jesus' death and resurrection had changed everything."
7. Consider the insights of the pioneers of the New Homiletic? The insight of Charles Rice, that we need to help listeners recognize their shared story in the text will be especially important on Easter. Listeners come hoping to learn what difference the resurrection claim makes in their lives. Helping them see how their story and the resurrection story meet will be crucial.
Blessings on your proclamation!
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