Peter's dream

Acts 10
9About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."
14"Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."

15The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."

16This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

17While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. 18They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three men are looking for you. 20So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them."

21Peter went down and said to the men, "I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?"

22The men replied, "We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say." 23Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.

Contrast Peter's vision to Cornelius' dream...an angel tells Cornelius to send for Peter, and he does it. Immediately. What does Peter do? Peter sees the vision, hears the voice...and says No. Peter had baggage that Cornelius didn't, a lifetime of rules about what he could eat and what he couldn't, an understanding of Israel as God's chosen people. What does God do? He says yes. 3 times he says yes. I think 3 is Peter's magic number because that's what it took...well, that and the spirit and the "coincidental" arrival of Cornelius' men.

God is awesome, right? And merciful. Peter's vision was just the beginning. He was going to be doing some growing along with Cornelius. Peter had to spread the gospel to the Jews...and someone else was going to reach the rest of us. And Peter's face to face with Cornelius and his family...just the beginning.