In Genesis 1:27, we see the creation of mankind. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” God created all of us in His image, and we are all equal. We all came from Adam, who came from dirt. After Adam and Eve sinned, their perfect world was going to change. Death was introduced into this world, and as time progressed, our bodies changed. Yet, with all our flaws and physical differences, we are still the same. We are human!
When my kids were little, I would make cupcakes, and for special occasions, I would tint some of the frosting with cake dye. The cupcakes tasted the same, the batter was the same, and the frosting was the same, except for the color. However, they would stand there looking at them and trying to decide which color they wanted. We sometimes act that way with people. If they look different, we tend to treat them differently. If they don’t look like us or act like us, we pull away and have no desire to reach out to them.
In Acts 10:9-15, God was teaching Peter this truth that we are all the same. The Jews had been God’s chosen people, but they were not chosen to keep God to themselves. This was never God’s plan. They were to reveal to the rest of the world who God is. Now that Jesus has died for the sins of the whole world, it is time to take the message to everyone. God uses the lesson of foods common and uncommon to open Peter’s eyes to a lost and dying world. “On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.”
God was preparing Peter to win Cornelius to Christ. Earlier in chapter 10, we are introduced to Cornelius. In verse 2, we see that he was a devout man. He loved God and worshiped Him but knew nothing about Jesus. He was a centurion, a Roman soldier in charge of 100 men. God sent an angel to him while he was praying to God. The angel told him to send men to Joppa to find Peter and bring Peter back to his house. In verses 28-29, we see Peter obeying the Lord. The Jews hated the Romans, and without a divine revelation from God, no Jew would seek them out to tell them about Jesus.
Act 10:1-2 “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.”
Act 10:5 “And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:”
Act 10:28-29 “And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company or come unto one of another nation, but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?”
Later on in the book of Acts, Peter declares to the Jews that God makes no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles. Gentiles were anyone who was not Jewish. Therefore, most of us reading this would fit into this category. In Acts 15:7-9, Peter stands and tells the council of Jews that were requiring the new Christians to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses that these things were no longer required for a believer of Jesus Christ. He reminds them that God had before sent him to the Gentiles, and God makes no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles.
Act 15:7-9 “And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knowest the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.”
Peter is teaching them what we all need to learn. God makes no distinction between people based on the color of their skin, their financial status, their education, or their family heritage. He never makes a distinction based on external ceremonies or keeping external rites. The only distinction God ever makes is whether they have accepted His Son as their Lord and Savior of their lives. At the judgment, He will make a distinction between those who have done well and those who have not. While all those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior will gain entrance to Heaven, only those who have sought to obey Him in every way will hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
Because this is God’s position on mankind, this should be ours also. Examine yourself and see if you make a difference based on any of the things mentioned in the paragraph above. Do you shy away from those who are different? Do you befriend those who can never offer you anything except their friendship? Do you judge people by the color of their skin or by the sins of their past after they have been converted? Are you willing to meet people where they are and love them with the love of Christ by reaching out and building a relationship with them?
John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
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