"Clean" or "Unclean" Who Is To Decided?

I was thinking about the conflict between the Jews and the Gentiles this morning. While I was reading in the Book of Acts, chapter 10 and 11, when these words from Jesus came to mind.

34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”(John 13)

And I wondered!  How many times have people read, or heard, those words?  Jesus was perfectly clear about the fact that we are to love others. 

That is what was going through my mind as I read the story about Peter and Cornelius in Acts.  Where we are told, in a different way, to love.  This is a story about the division between the Gentiles and the Jews.  And the not so subtle issue of the Jewish attitude of exclusion.  An attitude that limited God’s love to just those of the Jewish faith. More specifically, to the “circumcised” believers.

The main problem in this particular account is: 

One, Peter had fellowship with the Gentiles.  That is he had eaten at the same dinner table with them inside an uncircumcised  Gentile home.  And in doing so had violated some extremely sacred Jewish laws.  

Two, Peter’s witness God's acceptance of the Gentiles, when the Holy Spirit came upon them (chapter 10).

As the story continues, in chapter 11, Peter is being confronted — criticized — by his circumcised brothers in Jerusalem, about his association with “those people.”   Those “unclean,” “unworthy,” AND “uncircumcised” men! 

Be clear on this!  These are NOT, on any terms, minor violations that Peter is facing.  They are sacred rules that he has totally disregarded.  Violated!  

I can just imagine the tension in the room!  The anger on the faces of those pious men!  The indignation shooting with powerfully silent, unflinching attitude, right at Peter!  The fireworks were all in place just ready to ignite.  

Imagine how you would be tempted to respond if you were in Peter’s shoes.  Immediate defense!  Right!  At least that is what usually happens when someone is accused of doing something really-really-bad.  Being confronted by  serious accusations.

 It is no secret how Peter had responded, in the past, when face with something he didn’t like or approve of.  Remember how he argued with Jesus when told how Jesus would die.   Or how he reacted when Jesus wanted to wash his feet.

Or In the courtyard, after Jesus’ arrested, when he vehemently denied knowing who Jesus was.

Peter certainly was not shy when it came to expressing his opinion!

However this time, when faced with the authority of Jewish religious leaders, he simply told the story.  And he did it with no defensive tone of voice (my interpretation).  

First he told them about his vision:  “I was in Joppa praying…And I saw a vision about a sheet being lowered down from heaven.   In that sheet were all kinds of creatures of unclean origin.  And I heard God’s voice telling me to “get up, kill, and eat.”  And I responded to God by saying: “By no means Lord for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.”

God gave me this vision three times, and then made it very clear to me that my assessment of “clean” and “unclean” was not of God’s making.  I heard God say: “What I have made clean you must not call profane.”

Then Peter told them of how Cornelius’ friends had come to him.  Men who were Gentiles who believed in God.  And how the Holy Spirit told him to go with them.  And not to make a distinction between them and us.  The Gentiles told him that God had spoken to Cornelius, and told him to send for Peter; and that Peter would give the Gentiles “a message."  The message that Cornelius’ entire household would be saved.”

And then!  And then Peter told his accusers the unbelievable story about how, as he spoke to these Gentiles “The Holy Spirit fell on them,”  just as it had happened to Jesus Disciples. Then he said to them:  “If God gave them the same Spirit that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Then who was I, that I could hinder God?”

Peter’s Gentle explanation quieted the tension within the room. We are told: “When they heard this they were silenced.  And then they praised God that God has given, even to the Gentiles, the repentance that lead to  life.”

Think about this!  Peter didn’t defend himself! Or argue! He didn’t debate!  He didn’t raise his voice!

He simply told the story!

And then asked the question: “Who am I to hinder God?”

We learn at least two things from these chapters from Acts.  One, Stories work better, sometimes, then debate!  Two, no matter how hard we try, we will never limit God’s love!

We also learn that “being right!” Or doing what we deem as “right” or “clean” or “good” doesn’t always agree with God’s plan.  Actually sometimes — a lot of times — our thoughts and opinions are skewed by our cultural training. 

You see God came, in Jesus’ skin, to change accepted cultural norms, rituals, rules and traditions.  He came to change the mindset of those who had made so many laws “In God’s name.”  Rules that judged, excluded and limited God’s will!  Disregarded God’s love!

This very pointed story, about the clash between Jewish followers of Jesus and the gentile believers in Jesus, is clear. It is not our privilege, or right, to limit God in any way.  And, it would behove us to constantly be asking ourselves what Peter asked:

“Who am I to hinder God?“

Who am I to name someone “unclean” or “profane” or “unworthy” of God’s love?

Because!  “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.”  That one truth is often forgotten in the cultural maze we live in.  A maze that influences both  our knowledge and  opinions!

Jesus was constantly telling us, that we are not to judge!  We are to love! 

Love as He loves!