‘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 10:15-16 ESV).
While praying on the rooftop of Simon the Tanner, Peter saw a vision of “unclean” animals lowered down from heaven on a sheet. The Lord told him to “kill and eat.” Peter refused, saying he had never in his life eaten such. For it was against Jewish law. But the Lord told Peter not to call it unclean now that God had called it clean. This vision was to prepare Peter to carry the gospel to the Gentiles, for the Roman centurion, Cornelius, had already sent men to bring him.
The distinction between Jew and Gentile, along with the ceremonial laws that separated the Jews from other peoples, was now removed. The gospel would remove the distinction, making all men and women equal before the cross of Christ. As the apostle Paul would write, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal.3:28).
PRAYER: Dear Father, You have given us the gospel of grace, not law. You have removed the barrier between us and You. Help us to give out the gospel without reservation. For You desire people of every nation and tongue to follow Your Son. In Jesus’ name, amen.