And the voice spoke unto him again the second time, “What God has cleansed, do not call unclean.”

James I of England once said, “He was a bold man who first swallowed an oyster.” Who would have ever thought to eat an oyster? Thanks to the person that did, this “repulsive” shellfish is now an epicurean delicacy and a “cash cow” in many American coastal cities.

In today’s lesson, Peter finds himself in the same predicament. While he is meditating, a blanket of unclean animals is lowered before him. God commands him to “kill and eat,” knowing full well that Peter is forbidden by Levitical law to do so.

God is not concerned with Peter’s dietary habits. Rather, God is challenging Peter to confront his cultural prejudices. God needed a missionary to the Gentiles, and this task required an open-minded servant. God was asking Peter to “swallow the first oyster.”

In today’s world, we are confronted with innumerable prejudices and fears and God is calling forth missionaries to challenge the attitudes of churches today in regard to cultural boundaries of ethnicity, social standing and color and status, or LGBT issues. God’s message to Peter was simply this: Salvation and the Word of God is for ALL people!

Forgive us our prejudices, God of Equality. Help us to see past our personal biases so we can better serve You and preach Your salvation to ALL of Your precious children!