Zambia Hunt

Acts 10:34-43

Have you ever longed to see someone or something until that longing captivated your soul and imagination? People will stand for hours to catch a glimpse of their favorite music star or a famous world leader. When Brazil won the World Cup, millions flooded the streets to catch a glimpse of the champions.

In Jesus’ day, there was an extremely short man who longed to catch a glimpse of Jesus as he passed through his hometown – so desperate was his desire that he set aside his dignity and climbed up a Sycamore tree just to see Him.

And then there was Blind Bartimaeus, begging along Jericho Highway. In the distance, he heard the noise of a large crowd and learned that Jesus was passing by. In desperation, he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” he replied, “Oh that I may receive my sight!” He wanted to see the flowers’ beauty, to see children smile, to peer into the faces of friends.

Take a moment and shut your eyes tightly. Imagine you can never open them again. Like being in a room with no windows and no light, you’re in complete darkness. Your eyes strain to see, yet there is only darkness, no matter how hard you try.

This is humanity’s spiritual condition. We are born into absolute spiritual darkness with no possibility of seeing anything – not only are our spiritual eyes blind, but we’re surrounded by darkness so deep there is no end.

Breaking Through the Darkness

Imagine after years in such a condition that one day, a tiny beam of light breaks through. Wouldn’t you rejoice? Wouldn’t you embrace that light? Wouldn’t every part of your being desire to move toward that small beam of light?

This is the opportunity before us – to catch a glimpse of the light of the glorious gospel. Based on Acts 10:34-43, we can explore the transformative power of this message. The gospel isn’t just a nice story – it’s rooted in historical events. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ were public knowledge, witnessed and testified to by many. Christ died for a reason: to address our sin problem, as Romans 5:8 tells us.

You might be wondering why these ancient events matter today. The truth is, we all need help. You can be serious about religious duties, be generous and compassionate, pray constantly – and still feel empty inside. Something more is needed. We’re all in a fallen state and therefore at war with God, as Romans 5:10 explains. It’s a war we cannot win in our own power.

Beyond this, we’re in bondage to sin and its effects. Jesus himself said, “whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (John 8:34). This bondage is real, but so is the solution. Christ rose from the dead to be both deliverer and judge. He will either stand as your advocate or sit as your judge.

The Path to Freedom

The gospel offers a universal invitation – “everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins” (Acts 10:43). This salvation comes through faith alone, by grace rather than works, and is available to anyone who believes. It’s not about what we can do, but about what has already been done for us.

When we embrace the gospel, we receive forgiveness that transforms everything. This forgiveness is completely free – though it cost God everything, it’s offered to us without price. It’s forever, as Psalm 103:12 beautifully expresses: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” And it’s final, sealed by Jesus’ declaration on the cross: “It is finished!”

A Personal Response

Have you caught a glimpse of the gospel today? Like Job, can you say, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You” (Job 42:5)?

The gospel is real. It’s for everyone. The reasons are clear – we must make peace with God. The response is to embrace Jesus Christ by faith alone, and the result will be the forgiveness of sin and the establishing of a relationship with Him.

The light has broken through the darkness. Will you step toward it?