Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
June 10, 2022
Read Acts 10:9-16
9 At noon on the following day, as their journey brought them close to the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted to eat. While others were preparing the meal, he had a visionary experience. 11 He saw heaven opened up and something like a large linen sheet being lowered to the earth by its four corners. 12 Inside the sheet were all kinds of four-legged animals, reptiles, and wild birds. 13 A voice told him, “Get up, Peter! Kill and eat!” 14 Peter exclaimed, “Absolutely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” 15 The voice spoke a second time, “Never consider unclean what God has made pure.” 16 This happened three times, then the object was suddenly pulled back into heaven.
Good morning! God makes us clean!
Wow! This is my last day with my students at Greenbrier Elementary School. What a ride it has been! This week has been so emotionally charged for teachers and students, but especially for me as I approach the end of this chapter of my life. All change is hard, even good change for which we are ready. I am comforted knowing that God is with me and this new direction for my life is part of God’s plan for me.
This passage in Acts is full of imagery, but we must pull back and see the context that surrounds this passage. At the beginning of this chapter, Cornelius, a believer in God and benefactor to the poor and needy, received a vision from an angel of God to summon Peter. Today’s verses happened the next day to prepare Peter and help him see that all of God’s children are clean and should be welcomed into the community of believers. The imagery of unclean food was simply a tool to help Peter understand that the Gentiles must also be served.
In the verses that follow, Peter and company arrive at the home of Cornelius. 27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
Through this passage, we see that Christ, by His suffering and resurrection, was sent to redeem all who believe. Those whom God has made are pure.
Loving and Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. Help us see the world through the eyes of love so that we might focus on all that is good. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: What do I call profane that God blesses?
Love one another, my children! Pastor Liz
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