Acts 10:9-10 (NIV) – About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
While 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. They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
“In verses 17 and 19 Peter was grappling intensely regarding the meaning of the vision when the Holy Spirit spoke to him. At first Peter vehemently refused to be open to change, as is expressed by his cry, “Surely not, Lord!” He had strong convictions. But when he sensed that God was indeed teaching him something new, he seriously considered the implications of the vision. Thus, both divine guidance and Peter’s willingness to grasp what God was showing him combined to produce a change in his thinking, even though it was something he was uncomfortable with. A passion for obedience makes God’s servants open to changes with which they may at first be uncomfortable. God found in Peter a person who was open to living with the uncomfortable. That helped him to be open to God’s surprises…and this made him open to more of God’s revelations.” [Ajith Fernando, NIV Application Commentary: Acts, p.324]
To dream or have a vision is one thing, but obedience to the Spirit’s truth and leading is the deeper/fuller measure of receiving; not only are we transformed but we are lead to love another. The lyrics to the song, Build My Life, expresses it this way, “Open up my eyes in wonder, show me who You are and fill me, with your heart and lead me, in your love to those around me.” Let’s pray for a passion for obedience to the Spirit’s leading.
– AK
