Letting Go of the Old Stuff

Scripture – Acts 10:23-29: The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. ²⁴The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. ²⁵As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. ²⁶But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” ²⁷Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. ²⁸He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. ²⁹So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”

Reflection: This was an amazing transformation – one that had a great affect on the church. Peter did what he was called to do. Cornelius, likewise, believed and expected that Peter would come.

Peter’s Jewish background was still part of who he was. Even though he knew Jesus before and after the resurrection, he still was held back by his past. The lessons and traditions he had learned growing up were very hard to undo.

Yet the vision he had and the direction he received carried an unmistakable message: “But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.” In Christ we become new people – new creations.

Who are the people I consider “unclean” today? Who are the people I avoid associating with? Lord, please open my heart to receive all the people you love.