Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time. “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. (Acts 10:13-18)
Living in Florida, I’ve been to restaurants that have Gator on the menu. But I can’t bring myself to eat a reptile. I think if God asked me to eat Gator I wouldn’t say, “Surely not!” But I might ask, “Is there another choice?” Peter had been known for his outbursts, but they’ve become less as God continues to change him.
God knew Peter wouldn’t eat pork or reptiles. He’d been taught all his life not to. God said, “Kill and eat,” only once. The statement was meant to shock Peter, and God succeeded. God said, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean,” three times. So, I think God is saying, “Peter, if you think my statement was outrageous, look at your heart. You’re treating my Gentile children like pigs when I made them clean.”
We learned from Peter’s vision that prejudice is not only unwarranted; it’s wrong. This story also teaches us that God arranges coincidences. What are the chances that these Gentiles, sent by Cornelius, stop at his gate and call for him at the exact time he’s learning that God made everyone clean?
Can you think of a coincidence or a person that changed your life? Did you chalk it up to coincidence or God? It’s amazing God loves us so much he arranges coincidences to change our lives.
Father God, I praise You for arranging coincidences that change my life. Convict me if I think of any person as being impure because you made everyone clean. Help me pass Your love to everyone. In Christ’s name, I pray, amen.
I guess there is a fine line here, in my opinion. I know that God has made everyone clean. When you are born you are God’s child and free of sin. However, the enemy is alive and well and takes people into his fold. We should not be convicted when someone is bad, everyone is not clean or pure.
You’re right. Christians are only clean and pure because of God’s grace. I think the vision is more about being prejudice against groups of people than about individuals who are bad. Again, our fight is against the enemy not against flesh and blood. I prayed for you today. Blessings and love! Jody