“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”

— John 15:4-5

This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)

Read Acts 10

Acts 10 shares the great story of a man named Cornelius and his encounter with Peter. Cornelius was a Roman centurion who was described as a “devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God.” One afternoon at 3:00 p.m. Cornelius had a vision in which an angel from God told him to send men to Joppa to bring Peter back to him.

As the three men were traveling to bring back Peter, Peter himself had a vision. In Peter’s vision he saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds. Then Peter heard a voice, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter responded, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” The voice replied, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.”

Next thing you know the three men arrive to bring Peter to Cornelius. When Peter arrived at Cornelius’ house, he was met by Cornelius’ relatives and close friends. We can feel the tension building. Peter addressed the crowd, “You yourselves know that it is improper for a Jew to associate with or to visit an outsider, but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. So, when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?”

Cornelius then shared his side of the story and invited Peter to speak. Next thing we know Peter is sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with a Gentile audience. This might not seem like a big deal to us today, but it was an earth-shattering event. God’s love, grace, forgiveness, and salvation had been clearly made available to all people. Just imagine the guts it took for Peter to be obedient to God’s call.

Peter’s message was well received. Like the story in Acts 2 of the Holy Spirit coming upon the crowd, the same thing happened here with the Gentiles. Peter then asked a thought-provoking question, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” In other words, who are we to stand in the way of someone receiving God’s grace and love?

I love the part of the story where Peter acknowledged his own spiritual growth in being inclusive of all people. He said, “God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean.” There are many lessons in this great chapter in Acts, not the least of which is the fact that Christ is available to all and conversion is a process.

It has been said that this story is about the conversion of Cornelius and the Gentiles, but also the continuing conversion of Peter. In other words, conversion or becoming all that we were created to be in Christ takes a lifetime and God will help us grow in the most surprising ways. Just ask Cornelius and Peter.

Prayer

“All-loving, merciful God, thank you for the reminder that you love all people and that Christ died and rose again for us all. Help us to never think we are superior to others and to share your message of inclusive grace to all. Amen.”

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**The Vine Devotional and First Glance podcast will be on hiatus for July, but will return in August.**