Eating the Unclean (A short note)

The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. And he became hungry and wanted to something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter, kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

Acts 10:9-16

Peter’s revulsion at the notion of eating the unclean animals is by no means irrational. All of his life, training, and social upbringing told him that this was not only immoral but also abhorrent. He does not understand the context of this vision at the time (as is so often the case when we are being taught or led) but comes to understand its significance when visited by Cornelius, the gentile, who, along with his whole household not only accepts Christ as Lord but is also given the Holy Spirit. 

Undoubtedly, Peter came to see the connection between the vision and the real world circumstance. This was a time, of course, when the question of whether the Gentile was able to follow Christ (let alone experience the filling of the Spirit) was very much still in debate. The (understandable) Jewish bias against Gentiles and Hellenistic Jews was deeply rooted in the hearts of the early Christ-followers (showing that we are all in the process of becoming more Christ-like).

Despite Peter’s initial complaints in the vision, he surrenders his will to the Lord when the parallel challenge occurs. Just as he had when the Lord sought to wash his feet, he gave over his misunderstanding and pride to the Lord.

The implications of the gospel constantly challenge our preconceptions. It is human nature to seek comfort above all things. The gospel, though, is constantly affecting us, shaping us into the image of Christ through the Holy Spirit. Though our very soul might cry out in protest, we must follow the challenge of the Lord no matter how disagreeable or uncomfortable. The aim of the Spirit is not our comfort but our sanctification. The Lord is concerned with making us holy first and foremost. Our happiness or comfort may follow but only after we have surrendered our will. In fact, true happiness and comfort can ONLY come following true surrender. The critical paradox of faith is that only in surrender can we ever experience true happiness.