March 4, 2019
Acts 10:9-23 Good News Translation (GNT)
The longer I walk through life with Jesus, the more aware I am that his plan for me—and all the connections with others he has for me to make while in this world—comes together precisely at his appointed time. It is really quite exciting; only God could line everything up so perfectly. Of course, individually and collectively we must be in step with the Spirit.
Peter is filled with the Spirit, but he drags along some religious misconceptions. God has a plan to change Peter, so he can embrace a Kingdom mindset. Peter goes to a high place—the rooftop—to pray. God uses Peter’s hunger to teach him something about his present level of spiritual understanding, as well as God’s heart and plan for salvation. While Peter is praying, the Lord releases a vision. Much of that vision doesn’t make sense to Peter until the Lord brings in the next step…a connection to Captain Cornelius. Peter is a Jew and he truly believes the gentiles are unclean, but God instructs Peter to the contrary. Like Peter, we must embrace God’s Word as Truth and adjust our lives accordingly. God wants to redeem the whole world; he is ready to make any willing heart clean.
Acts 10:9-23
9 The next day, as they were on their way and coming near Joppa, Peter went up on the roof of the house about noon in order to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat; while the food was being prepared, he had a vision. 11 He saw heaven opened and something coming down that looked like a large sheet being lowered by its four corners to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals, reptiles, and wild birds. 13 A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat!”
14 But Peter said, “Certainly not, Lord! I have never eaten anything ritually unclean or defiled.”
15 The voice spoke to him again, “Do not consider anything unclean that God has declared clean.” 16 This happened three times, and then the thing was taken back up into heaven.
17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of this vision, the men sent by Cornelius had learned where Simon’s house was, and they were now standing in front of the gate. 18 They called out and asked, “Is there a guest here by the name of Simon Peter?”
19 Peter was still trying to understand what the vision meant, when the Spirit said, “Listen! Three men are here looking for you. 20 So get ready and go down, and do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” 21 So Peter went down and said to the men, “I am the man you are looking for. Why have you come?”
22 “Captain Cornelius sent us,” they answered. “He is a good man who worships God and is highly respected by all the Jewish people. An angel of God told him to invite you to his house, so that he could hear what you have to say.” 23 Peter invited the men in and had them spend the night there.
The next day he got ready and went with them; and some of the believers from Joppa went along with him.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for opening my spiritual eyes and helping me make the necessary connections with others that furthers your Kingdom. Your will be done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.