Dearest e-votees-
Day seventy-eight of our cover to cover voyage through the Bible. If you want to see the readings for our trip through the Bible you can follow this link:
Peace,
Karl
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Day 78 Readings: Acts 6:8-16:37
Included in today's reading is Peter's daydream vision on the rooftop. He is sleeping around lunchtime. Three times he has a vision of a giant sheet being let down with all manner of animals--clean and unclean. A voice calls out to him "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat." He refuses to avoid eating anything unclean. The voice says back that Peter should not call unclean that which God has declared as clean.
Before Peter could sort out this bizarre vision he is led to Cornelius' house (a Gentile's house) and it becomes clear that the vision wasn't about food at all but rather about expanding God's grace to include even the Gentiles. God is declaring that all people are invited into the good news of the Gospel. It is good news for us, as well, that God expanded the kingdom to include us.
We might protest that we're not worthy of God's grace and mercy (and we'd be correct) but God would say to us "Do not call anyone (even yourself) impure that God has made clean." In baptism we are made clean. God's grace poured out into our lives brings cleansing and healing and saving. God has laid a claim on our lives.
Were Peter here today he might well say to us "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts people from every nation who fear God and do what is right." We are forgiven and made clean. May we all know that joy and extend that good news to all who would hear. May we, who were once unclean ourselves, never declare others unclean but rather pray that all may know God's mercy and love.
God, thank you for declaring us clean. Help us do the same to all through the goodness and grace of the good news of the gospel. Amen.
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