Peter V: Kosher or Non-Kosher?

Our passage of scripture takes us through more of the miracles of the apostles. Peter shows his gifts of healing, including a resurrection. But the encounter with Cornelius provides an interesting picture of what happens when you exercise your spiritual gifts. All along, Peter had seen himself as a missionary to the Jews only. It’s worth remembering that in the beginning the Church was a Jewish reform movement. Even its critics considered “the Way” as a Jewish cult. But there is a tendency throughout the Bible for the Spirit to break down barriers between people and take his people where they never expected to go. Have you already discovered that God has had you do things you never expected?

Peter experiences the gift of knowledge as in a vision a sheet drops in front of him that has a host of “unclean”, non-kosher animals. He here’s a voice say “take and eat.” Peter debates but the vision remains. He is then told he is to visit the home of a Roman centurion named Cornelius. What kind of foods do you suppose the servants of Cornelius would serve? Kosher, I don’t think so. Yet Cornelius was being spoken to by the Spirit that Peter was coming to his house to give him just what he was praying for. Isn’t it interesting how the Spirit prepares both sides for an encounter with God? When we offer our spiritual gifts, we are part of the work of Christ. In a very real sense, we don’t take Christ to anyone. We make obvious the Christ who is already there.

Peter follows the Lord’s instructions, despite a pretty strong protest. The people are more than receptive and the Holy Spirit falls on them, just as the Spirit fell on the apostles in Acts 2. One thing for sure, if we follow the ways of the Spirit, we will be stretched and we will watch God continually surprise us both with what he does and with who is responsive. Peter discovers that God is not just a Jewish God and that indeed the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ is for the whole world. I wonder what walls God will bring down around you as a person or around St. Luke’s as a congregation. I wonder what ways God is about to stretch us, so He can really go to work.