Peter was a devout Jew. He did not touch the things considered “unclean”. There was a list of forbidden foods that included pork and catfish. The Jewish people did not eat them. They would not go to a gentile (non Jewish) home and eat dinner with them. Peter followed that law too. But Peter had a vision. Jesus had plans to teach Peter that He was not only Savior of the Jewish nation but of the whole world. Jesus declared, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This is good news for a Missouri girl. I can go ahead and enjoy my BBQ pork steak and fried catfish! But much more than that! When God is in our lives He makes us clean! We are part of the promise of Abraham a part of God’s holy nation! We are His people as well!

What Peter saw was a part of what God spoke in Joel chapter two:

““And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” Joel 2:28 ESV

The Holy Spirit gave Peter the vision, and it was a vision God used to reach the Gentiles with his Good News. Or as Joel 2 said God “Will pour out His Spirit on all flesh…” including the Gentiles! More Good News for a Missouri girl! We are included in His precious promise!

Holy Spirit come!