It's Time to Eat?

Acts 10:9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat." 14 "Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." 15 The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." 16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. 17 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. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. 19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them." 21 Peter went down and said to the men, "I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?" 22 The men replied, "We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say." 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along.

To better understand this vision, we must go back to Leviticus 11. The animals that God instructed the Hebrews to eat were animals with divided hooves that chewed the cud, fish with scales and fins, and insects with jointed legs for hopping. To eat any other animal was disobeying God.

Peter has grown up all these years only eating what was called clean in the Mosaic Law. All of a sudden, he is instructed to go against the teachings and kill and eat animals he has never thought of eating.

The above picture shows several animals many of which are not in my refrigerator for dinner. Imagine the confusion felt when being instructed to kill and eat a lizard or a snake. As we read further in the passage, the animals have a deeper meaning. God is sending Peter to Cornelius. Peter is being sent to the Gentiles to teach them the message taught by Jesus.

What are you? Are you showing kindness to individuals different than you? We are called to be a light in the darkness. We are called to draw others to Jesus. What can you do different this week? This month?