“While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are looking for you. But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself'” (Acts 10:19-20).

Peter’s vision and his consistent refusal (three times!) to comply (Acts 10:10-16), is followed up, yet again, by another heavenly push out the front door (10:19-20). The thought of table fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers in Yeshua (11:3), the breaking down of an age-old and sacred wall separating the world into two people groups (Eph 2:14-15), was so incredibly radical and contrary to the first century understanding of Jewish identity, the Church of God would never have been born were it not for the Lord Jesus insisting three times (10:16), the Spirit telling Peter to go to Caesarea without any misgivings (10:20). Friends, how easily we can turn the weekly gathering of Jews and Gentiles together in the name of Jesus into something quite ordinary and mundane. But from a first-century perspective, and from a biblical-theological perspective, the Church is truly extraordinary and miraculous! Dear God, help us never lose our sense of awe for the miracle of Jew and Gentile sitting together as one new man under the banner of Christ!

“‘Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?’ When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, ‘Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life'” (Acts 11:17-18).