On the topic of Peter going to the Gentiles, we remember that the good news of the gospel is the good news of God’s grace for those who are undeserving of the same. Jonah was reluctant to go to Nineveh because he did not want God to show them mercy. He thought he was better than the Assyrians. For the early church, the mission to the Gentiles will face similar hurdles. Christians from a Jewish background will consider themselves to be better than their Gentile brothers and sisters. It is one of the big problems which Paul will speak to in his letters, especially the letter to the Galatians.

It is a problem that remains, also today. Throughout the world, in every religion and culture people are taught to think that their relationship with God is based on their obedience. We work for a reward on earth and so we expect to have to work for a reward in heaven. If we are in the group that knows God’s favour, that must be because we have earned it. Because we are better than others in some way. Because there is something good in us which God saw, something in us which has won his love. The gospel tells a different story. The story of the Son who took on flesh in order to live the perfect life in our place. The Christ who came to render the obedience that we are unable to give and die the death which we deserve for our sins and shortcomings.

Our imperfect obedience to God’s law, our Christian heritage and ethic: we can always be thankful for God’s revelation and the privilege of growing up in a world where we enjoy the benefits of the same. But we are not better than others because of that fact. We remain sinners who have been saved by grace, sinners who have been shown mercy which is not deserved. Sinners who must remember that the good news of the gospel is the good news of God’s grace for those who are undeserving of the same. Yes, even for those who do not speak my language or share my ethics – the gospel is bigger than my culture and my comfort.

This is always the message that is conveyed when the gospel goes out to other cultures. When Jewish Christians make plans to minister to those who speak Greek. Cross-cultural mission work requires great commitment, lots of resources and time. It will not be possible for every church to support a foreign or a cross-cultural missionary, but the practice itself is healthy, good and commendable. It is a practice which reminds us that God’s mission is bigger than my preferences—grace for the undeserving.

Let us keep praying therefore that God would raise up harvesters for the harvest field. More men to go and train for ministry. Let us pray also that God would provide the funds, the vision that is needed to send and support them. Pray for God to change us, pray for God to work in all believers so that our priorities will increasingly line up with his own.