To whom does Jesus belong?

It’s easy nowadays to forget some things about those early followers of Jesus.

Many of them believed him to be the long-awaited Messiah for the people of Israel.

The answer to that belief from followers today generally is “yes.” And “no.”

The passage from Acts 11, starting at verse 1, is a brief glimpse at how uncircumcised, non-Jews were eventually accepted into the family of Jesus the Christ. They belonged. Period.

Someone may be tempted to rush in with, “But that was a long time ago.There aren’t exclusions anymore.”

I proffer that many people today feel just like those first-century Gentiles: Not welcome. Not belonging.

It seems there’s always a category of person or persons who we believe have to work on a few things before they’re ready for our pews

But guess what? Jesus is ready for them, day or night, seven days a week. Amen.