Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 Called to be the Light

Acts 10:9-16

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

As we continue our meditation on this week’s theme, “Called to be the Light,” today’s portion focuses on Peter’s vision.  The passage begins with Peter taking a break on his journey to spreading the gospel when he falls into a trance and sees heaven opened with a large sheet let down to earth by its four corners.  The sheet contained clean and unclean animals, and a voice told Peter to “Kill and eat.”  Initially, Peter replied that he would not, as he had never eaten anything impure or unclean.  But the voice spoke to him again and said, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”  
            We know that the greater meaning behind this passage is that the “unclean” and “impure” animals actually symbolize Gentiles.  Peter learned that Gentiles were pronounced clean by God, meaning that the barrier between Jewish people and Gentiles had been removed through Jesus Christ.  But we see the theme “Called to be the Light” when we study this portion in the greater context of Acts 10.  In Acts 10:1-8, we meet Cornelius, a Gentile who was devout and God-fearing.  Before Peter saw the vision discussed in verses 9 through 16, Cornelius saw a vision wherein he was to send men to find Peter and bring him back to him.  Eventually, once Peter sees the vision, Cornelius’ men find him and bring him to Cornelius.  It is at that point that God uses Peter to preach the message that “…God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” (Acts 10:34-35).  While Peter preaches this message, the Holy Spirit came down on all who heard him, and the believers who came with Peter were able to see Gentiles speak in tongues and praise God, as well as being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (verses 44-48).
            Peter’s experience is a beautiful example of how obedience to God’s call allows us to be a light for others.  We see in verse 14 that in Peter’s vision, he was initially disobedient to God’s call to “kill and eat,” because he was more concerned with observing the laws regarding clean and unclean animals than obeying God’s command.  However, when Peter submitted to God’s call, he was able to be enlightened and became a light to enlighten others.  Oftentimes in life, we are called by God to look beyond our own understanding, humble ourselves, and answer God’s true call so that God can enlighten us to be a light to others.  Today, let’s practice obedience so that we can be the light God created us to be.

 

Prayer
Father, please teach us how to humble ourselves so that we can see Your purpose, answer Your call, and be a light to others.


Thought for the Day

We are lighted to lighten.

Jessica George
St. John's Mar Thoma Church, NY
            

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more