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.” Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?” (10:19–21)
The demise of First Church in Jerusalem is nearly upon us – we’ll talk more about that tomorrow. But once again, we see the leadership in the church failing their mission in almost every possible way.
This chapter may be familiar to many who have been raised in the church. The majority of the content is a vision Peter had that God used to try and get through to Peter that the gospel of Jesus Christ wasn’t just for church members or for the Jews. The gospel was for everyone, including the Gentiles (anyone who wasn’t a Jew). In the vision, Peter sees a sheet dropping down from heaven with all sorts of nonkosher animals and the Spirit says to butcher them and eat. Peter objects to killing and eating the impure foods and the Spirit responds, “Don’t call anything impure that God has declared pure.” This happens three times (and Peter never does as he’s told) and then the vision ends.
Meanwhile, a Roman Centurion named Cornelius had a vision and was told by the Spirit to send for Peter. When Peter’s vision was complete, the delegation from the Centurion arrives and asks for Peter.
Now … here’s the intriguing part for me. The Jerusalem church is in a bad way. They’re just barely hanging on and they’re in survival mode. But are they pursuing the church’s mission? Hardly. Instead, God has to send unbelievers to the church so they can hear the gospel. But that’s not what’s supposed to have happened. The Apostles were charged with going to all the world, but the Spirit had to send the world to the Apostles!
The good news is that when Peter finally gets up from his blessed assurance and goes to Cornelius’ house, Peter is able to share his witness and everyone in the house. And Cornelius is far more faithful than Peter. He’d filled his house with all of his family, relatives, and even his close friends. He was engaged in faith sharing even before he’d come to faith.
Not much has changed in the church, I’m afraid. Even though the church has been called to take the good news to the world, we’re still stuck thinking that non-believers need to “come to church” to hear the gospel. But clearly, that’s not God’s plan. And that’s why you’ll hear me talking about YOUR house being a mission outpost … and why you’ll hear me remind YOU that you’re a missionary sent into the mission field. You may not be aware of this, but for every 10 people in Raytown, fewer than 2 attended a church last weekend. That means it’s almost certain that those in the five houses to your left, five houses to your right, five houses across the street, and five houses behind you … a total of approximately 60 people … 48 of them are unchurched. In John 4:35 Jesus tells his Apostles “The fields are ripe for a harvest.” And Raytown is ripe.
Every week you’re asked to invite someone to church with you … but what’s even more important is that every day, you’re called to be a witness of your experience with Jesus right there in your mission field.
How will you be sharing your witness this week in your neighborhood?
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