Devotion • August 26
Today's Scripture
Acts 10:1–16
In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. One afternoon at about three o’clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.” He stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” He answered, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.” When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.
About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. Then he heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” The voice said to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven. (NRSV)
Reflection
Peter is conflicted, being told by the Spirit to kill and eat that which by Jewish law is considered unclean. Understandably, he is resistant, despite the Spirit’s assurance that all was made clean by God.
Is it not a modern-day paradox that certain of our laws and societal norms don’t support what we know in our hearts to be just and right? It takes courage to heed God’s call when doing so may upheave our ordered lives. Rules and predictability feel safe.
Cornelius is both an officer in the Roman army and a devout Gentile believer, in whom God has found favor.
Cornelius is told in a vision to collect Simon Peter (Peter), from Joppa, and to bring him to Cornelius’ house, so Peter can share his knowledge with him. Cornelius, without questioning it, prepares for Peter’s arrival. He has great trust in God.
In subsequent verses of Acts:10, Peter is told by the Spirit to go with Cornelius’ men and travel back with them to Caesarea, to speak with Cornelius. Peter obeys.
In giving Peter the vision, and the assurance that God has made the profane clean, is God preparing Peter to let go of his judgement of Cornelius, the Gentile, and to trust in God’s wisdom?
More importantly, is Peter’s vision preparing him to build and become the bedrock for the new church of Christ, made up of all kinds of people, from the four corners of the world? Does Peter realize the faith God has in him and the road he will travel, I wonder?
Being a Christian is a delicate and sometimes precarious balancing act of living “righteously,” while also being brave enough to let go of self and trust in God’s plan.
Prayer
Merciful God, forgive my weakness and my resistance. Grant me courage to hear and heed your call. Open my heart and mind to trust in you always. Amen.
Written by Holly O’Mara, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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