City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

⁹ 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. ¹⁰ And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance ¹¹ and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. ¹² In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. ¹³ And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” ¹⁴ But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” ¹⁵ And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” ¹⁶ This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. –Acts 10:9-16 ESV

Aisha’s Analysis

Today’s verses, while a tad perplexing, show us the unique way God communicates to those who belong to Him. Peter’s vision spoke to Peter’s heart in a special way that got Peter’s attention.

As a staunch follower of the Torah, it was Peter’s strong conviction to deny eating foods that were previously deemed unclean by God no matter how hungry he was. This speaks to Peter’s loyalty and devotion to follow God’s ways.

However, the beauty of the vision God showed Peter is that God is the Creator, and only He can truly determine what is clean or unclean. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth. Peter had the Torah and all the cultural customs and social mores that he had grown up with in his head, but he now also had the Holy Spirit in his heart.

And the Holy Spirit was writing a new law in Peter’s heart: “What God has made clean, do not call common.” (Acts 10:15 ESV). While this may have made Peter’s head spin, it touched his heart in a special way and opened Peter’s mind to be curious. That this vision repeated three times must have reminded him of the way his communication with God often played out in threes: he denied Jesus three times (Mark 14:66–72) and Jesus gave Peter the opportunity to affirm Peter’s love for Him three times and instructed Peter to feed His sheep three times (John 21:15-17).

Peter may not have fully understood what was happening in the vision God showed him, but it appears he was certain God was speaking to him and pondering what it all meant. This was a beautiful way to prepare Peter’s heart to meet with Cornelius, a Centurion officer, in the verses that follow.

This also shows us that God’s plans are fulfilled when we are open to listening to the message He’s speaking to our hearts and when we allow Him to direct our steps rather than stubbornly clinging to our old patterns of thinking.

Application

In what way is God speaking to your heart and inviting you to change a previously held notion? This may not be immediately obvious to you, but take some time to journal, think, and pray about this openly with God. Allow Him to speak to your heart and direct your steps.

Whether it’s for 5 minutes as you’re reading the end of this devotional, or for an extended amount of time you devote to prayer, ask God to show you what’s on His heart. Knowing God through the practice of prayer is one of the greatest honors we have as followers of Christ. Take some time, any amount that you have, to spend in prayer today.

Prayer

Father God, I am honored to be Your dwelling place. That You, the holiest of holy One, can dwell in my heart is a miracle that truly humbles me. You made me clean and I am forever grateful. Thank You for inviting me to Your table and welcoming me into Your Kingdom through Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.