Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 10:19-29
19 Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three men have come looking for you. 20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don’t worry, for I have sent them.”
21 So Peter went down and said, “I’m the man you are looking for. Why have you come?”
22 They said, “We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer. He is a devout and God-fearing man, well respected by all the Jews. A holy angel instructed him to summon you to his house so that he can hear your message.” 23 So Peter invited the men to stay for the night. The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.
24 They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being just like you!” 27 So they talked together and went inside, where many others were assembled.
28 Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. 29 So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.”
19 Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three men have come looking for you. 20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don’t worry, for I have sent them.”
21 So Peter went down and said, “I’m the man you are looking for. Why have you come?”
22 They said, “We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer. He is a devout and God-fearing man, well respected by all the Jews. A holy angel instructed him to summon you to his house so that he can hear your message.” 23 So Peter invited the men to stay for the night. The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.
24 They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being just like you!” 27 So they talked together and went inside, where many others were assembled.
28 Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. 29 So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.”
Commentary:
10:26 I too am a man. Compare Herod’s opposite response in 12:20–23; cf. Rev. 19:10; 22:8–9.
10:28 unlawful. Not in terms of violating OT commands but in the sense of not following the later customs of strict Jewish traditions about uncleanness. The Jewish traditions of purity made it virtually impossible for them to associate with Gentiles without becoming ritually unclean. God has shown me refers to the vision of vv. 10–16. This shows how Peter understood his vision.
10:28 unlawful. Not in terms of violating OT commands but in the sense of not following the later customs of strict Jewish traditions about uncleanness. The Jewish traditions of purity made it virtually impossible for them to associate with Gentiles without becoming ritually unclean. God has shown me refers to the vision of vv. 10–16. This shows how Peter understood his vision.
Questions:
- Peter is perplexed by this vision, and even more unsettled about the three men that had come looking for him. Peter was nervous, maybe even scared, but the Holy Spirit sets his mind at ease. In verse 20 the Spirit tells him, "Don't worry, for I have sent them." God is telling Peter, "Trust me! I know it's a scary and uncomfortable situation, but I'm in charge!" Is there a situation in your life right now where God might be asking you to trust Him and His plan? What does trusting Him look like? Are you letting your fear hold you back from what God might have for you?
- It was unlawful for a Jew to sit down with Gentiles or eat their food or drink their wine. They were to have no social contact. But God is the one that led Peter to be having this meal with Cornelius. God is showing him that there will be now more dietary restrictions that keep you separate. The New Covenant gospel changes not just WHAT you eat but WHO you eat with. In verse 28, Peter admits that he was wrong and that God corrected him. This is showing the progressive sanctification of Peter, how God is changing him from the inside out. He is growing and his life is ever conforming to God's ways. What about you? Are YOU continuing to grow and change as you pray and read God's Word? When was the last time you were able to say, "I was wrong and God corrected me"?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would trust God even when it's scary.
- That you would ever be changing and growing with God.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
1. Who is Jesus? I believe Jesus is God because Jesus said He is God and proved it by rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples, His brother James, 500 others at one time, and Paul.
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
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