following in faith

Good morning friends,
Here Peter's vision presses into real life as God makes it clear that when he showed Peter unclean animals and told him not to call any of God's creation unclean, he meant the same for people. I'm always struck by how when the men arrive looking for Peter, he invites them to stay the night. The culture of hospitality practiced in the Middle East generally and by early Christians in particular always blows me away. I'm so grateful in this passage for God's clear signs, by how the visions of two men line up, how they follow what their dreams invite them to do. I imagine Cornelius, who doesn't know who Peter is or if he will show up, but still gathers his friends and relatives to hear a word from God. I think about Peter who grew up distrusting pagans, perhaps especially Roman soldiers, and still went because he could see God was doing a new thing. I pray God would change our hearts to be more open to others and to God leading us in surprising directions, because amazing things still happen when we trust God.

God bless,
Sam

Acts 10:19-33

19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Look, three men are searching for you. 20Now get up, go down, and go with them without hesitation; for I have sent them.” 21So Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?” 22They answered, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23So Peter invited them in and gave them lodging.



The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the believers from Joppa accompanied him. 24The following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25On Peter’s arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshiped him. 26But Peter made him get up, saying, “Stand up; I am only a mortal.” 27And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled; 28and he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?”


30Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this very hour, at three o’clock, I was praying in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood before me. 31He said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is called Peter; he is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. So now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.”