During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. 12 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. When Jewish believers from Cyprus (Europe) and Cyrene (Liby
Is there someone you think is not worthy of blessing from God or lesser than others? That was the case in the time of Jesus. The woman caught in adultery was not worthy to be given a second chance. Yet Jesus loved her, saw her as special and reached out to her. No one could believe it. Overflowing love and grace. Then there was Zacchaeus, a 'BIG' sinner, a big bad wolf, a cheat and traitor. He deserved to have no friend. Yet Jesus intentionally pushed through the crowd to go to him, befriended him, called him by name, entered his house and then pronounced salvation has come to him. No one could believe it either. Overflowing love and grace. In today reading from Acts, the unthinkable happened again. Jesus always surprised us. This time, Jesus accepted the Gentiles ... the non-Jews. What the Jews thought was uniquely theirs is now for all. Imagine for a moment, if this has not happened, you and I who is reading this is not included either. Read again how it happened, the mirac