By Pastor Rich Carlson          

In our last devotional, we found ourselves in Joppa—the ancient site of modern Tel Aviv. Today the story continues in Caesarea, about 30 miles to the north. Peter, a Jewish Christian, and Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, each have a vision from the Lord near the same time, and this eventually brings them together in an unlikely meeting.            

Cornelius and his family were devoted to God, gave generously to those in need, and prayed to God regularly—probably pretty unusual for a Roman soldier. His vision was a direct answer to his prayer. 

In the vision, an angel spoke to Cornelius, saying, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a remembrance before God” (Acts 10:5). Two things I gather from this: (1) The answer to Cornelius’s prayer seems to be related to his loving God and the people around him, and (2) the answer to Cornelius also involves shocking new information for Peter. It is not at all about Peter getting what he wants, but rather God giving Peter what he needs, and through Peter, what others need.          

This story makes it clear that Christianity is about loving and living—loving God through prayer, and living for God by responding in service to others—all others!          

Cornelius and Peter had visions about 21 hours apart. Peter’s vision was about a sheet being let down from heaven with all kinds of animals in it. God commanded Peter, “take and eat.” The lesson, it becomes clear, is not actually about what Peter should eat, but rather with whom he should eat it (and, by extension, whom he should care about).           

Peter drew his own conclusion from the vision. It wasn’t a discourse on diet; it was about inclusiveness. In a time of prejudice between pious and political parties, God blessed a Roman soldier and a Jewish apostle with visions to bring them together at one table for the cause of God. As a result, the first Gentiles were baptized into the Christian community.          

I am challenged to use this story, not as a rationale to eat all the food I want, but as Peter concludes, as a mandate to live my life in such a way that it includes all people as God’s children. 

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. "God is Faithful" is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.