Spend time in prayer and silence with God, asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
About noon the next day as they came near Joppa, Peter was going up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he had a vision. He saw heaven opened and something coming down that looked like a big sheet being lowered to earth by its four corners. In it were all kinds of animals, reptiles and birds. Then a voice said to Peter, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “No, Lord! I have never eaten food that is unholy or unclean.” But the voice said to him, “God has made these things clean so don’t call them ‘unholy’!” This happened three times, and at once the sheet was taken back to heaven. While Peter was wondering what this vision meant, the men Cornelius sent had found Simon’s house and were standing at the gate. They asked, “Is Simon Peter staying here?” While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Listen, three men are looking for you. Get up and go downstairs. Go with them without doubting, because I have sent them to you.” So Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. Why did you come here?” They said, “A holy angel spoke to Cornelius, an army officer and a good man; he worships God. All the Jewish people respect him. The angel told Cornelius to ask you to come to his house so that he can hear what you have to say.” So Peter asked the men to come in and spend the night. The next day, Peter got ready and went with them, and some of the followers from Joppa joined him. On the following day, they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter helped him up, saying, “Stand up. I too am only a human.” As he talked with Cornelius, Peter went inside where he saw many people gathered. He said, “You people understand that it is against our Jewish law for Jewish people to associate with or visit anyone who is not Jewish. But God has shown me that I should not call any person ‘unholy’ or ‘unclean.’
– Acts 10:9-28
Devotion
The fact that God chose Peter as the agent to open the door of the Gospel to the Gentiles was significant. It was Peter who opened the door of the Gospel to the Jews; thus, he was a uniting factor in the relationship between Jewish and Gentile Christians from the very beginning.
The Big Question
What lesson did Peter learn from this vision? Do you ever treat people differently because of their race or origin? Before God could use Peter to bring the Good News to the Gentiles, He had to change Peter’s heart. Is there anything in your heart that keeps you from sharing the Good News of Jesus with those around you? How does your love for Jesus show?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.