THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 10:9-23a
“Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” (Acts 10:15)
This story challenges the way we read the bible today.
The bible contains an old covenant (or testament), and a new.
In the old covenant, God declared certain animals clean or unclean (Leviticus 11).
Now in this vision, God tells Peter that all animals are clean.
This must have been challenging for Peter; it went against his bible.
This is one of many examples where the old covenant no longer applies.
We can’t change God’s revelation, but God can – and did, through Jesus.
Jesus changes everything, including how we read the bible.
The old covenant points us to Jesus, but it no longer binds us.
We can learn from it’s symbols, but we are not bound by it’s precepts.
This does not make us lawless, but it changes which law we submit to.
As a Jesus follower, I take my lead from Jesus, and His law of love.
If we love God and people, we will not murder, steal, lie or cheat.
If we love like Jesus, we will serve and bless others, not hurt them.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, teach me the depth and wonder of Your law of love. Make me a new covenant believer, filled with Your Spirit to fulfill Your law of love!
God prepared the heart of Peter through this vision of clean and unclean animals.
When the Gentiles came to him he received them warmly as his guests and went with them. What a change.
I too need to be open to the people places before me. They may be different but we are all His children. I need to be open to all who God places before in with His love. His message of love is for all and I may have to go against the flow to show that love of Christ.
Verse 1
Love, love, love, love
The gospel in a word is love!
Love your neighbor as your brother
Love, love, love
Verse 2
Joy, joy, joy, joy
The gospel in a word is joy!
Joy that fills to overflowing
Joy, joy, joy
Verse 3
Peace, peace, peace, peace
The gospel in a word is peace!
Peace that passes understanding
Peace, peace, peace
Verse 4
Christ, Christ, Christ, Christ
The gospel in a word is Christ!
Love Him, serve Him, and adore Him
Christ, Christ, Christ