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.
