FRIDAY May 12, 2023
A Ministry to the Gentiles
The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
Acts 10:9-13
God prepared Peter to meet Cornelius, just like Ananias was prepared to go and meet Saul to pray for him (Acts 9:10-18). This is how God works. He is sovereign––a perfect God. Cornelius obeyed the Word of God, given to him by the angel. In Acts 10:5-8, he followed the angel’s instructions:
Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Meanwhile, here is Peter praying about 35 miles away, when all of a sudden, he becomes hungry. At the perfect time, God ministers to him, using his human need for food. Peter falls into a trance, and here comes a sheet with all this food! But, the food that comes down from heaven is food that the Jews cannot eat––everything he sees was not kosher. Peter is asked to eat those things, and in response, Peter resists the Lord. It is unthinkable: “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean” (Acts 10:14). Peter had let none of these things touch his mouth!
Peter had a habit of arguing with the Lord, but God spoke to him again: “What God has cleansed you must not call common” (Acts 10:15). What was He literally doing here? Clearly, it was not just about eating the food. God wanted Peter to break the wall of partition between the Jews and the Gentiles. He needed to associate with them and give them the Gospel. This vision was repeated three times because Peter was so stubborn (Acts 10:16). Who won? God.
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also....
~Romans 3:28-29~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
