Engaging with God

I like to give my friend a hard time about it; but I can't help but think of this rigged up blue sheet as symbolic of the walls , barriers, and separations that we put up, both literally but especially metaphorically, to separate us from those we dislike or disagree with.

At face value, Peter has received a revelation from God that the old Jewish dietary laws are no longer applicable; what was considered unclean to eat has now been declared clean

Over time, understandably, a huge wall of separation existed between Jews and the Gentiles around them. This separation helped to maintain the distinctive Jewish identity, but for many Jews it also became a wall of hostility – the Gentiles were viewed with contempt for not being part of the Chosen People, 

The issue of clean and unclean foods is trivial compared to the issue of clean and unclean people. Peter is suddenly realizing that the kingdom of God is a whole lot bigger than he had imagined and that the gospel message is a lot more powerful.

If the whole Bible leads to Jesus, then it also leads to the salvation of the Gentiles .

God in Jesus Christ has broken down the dividing wall between Himself and us, and he is breaking down the dividing wall between us and one another. 

The goal of tearing down the walls that exist between us is that we love one another , as God has loved us. 

we are reconciliation people – the people who should be all about breaking down the walls. This is the work of God in the world , and this is the work of God in each of our lives.