Barrier Breaker
READ
Sometimes the hardest person to convince about God's love is a long-time believer. In Acts 10, we see Jesus revealed as the ultimate Barrier Breaker through an unlikely friendship between a Jewish fisherman and a Roman centurion.
Let’s take a moment to read Acts 10:
Acts 10:9-16
About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds.
Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
Acts 10:34-38Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
Acts 10:44-48
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
REFLECT
Peter thought he had Jesus figured out. After three years with Him, plus the Day of Pentecost, Peter was confident about who was "in" and who was "out" of God's kingdom. Then came the vision of the sheet filled with "unclean" animals and God's shocking command: "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat" (Acts 10:13). Peter's response reveals his religious rigidity: "Surely not, Lord!" It's almost comical – calling Jesus "Lord" while refusing His direct command.
This moment reveals Jesus as the Patient Teacher. He could have been frustrated with Peter's prejudice, but instead, He gave him a visual lesson three times. The message was clear: "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean" (Acts 10:15). Jesus wasn't just talking about food laws; He was preparing Peter's heart for something revolutionary.
Meanwhile, Cornelius – a Roman centurion, the enemy occupying force – was praying. This reveals another aspect of Jesus: He's the Seeker of Hearts. While religious people were drawing circles to keep others out, Jesus was drawing circles to bring others in. Cornelius wasn't even Jewish, yet God heard his prayers and saw his generosity (Acts 10:4). Jesus looks past labels to see hearts. When Peter finally arrived at Cornelius' house, his first words were telling: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile" (Acts 10:28). Even after the vision, Peter was still thinking in terms of barriers. But then comes his breakthrough: "But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean."
Here we see Jesus as the Mind Changer. He doesn't just give us new information; He transforms our entire worldview. Peter went from seeing Cornelius as unclean to recognizing him as beloved by God. This wasn't political correctness; this was gospel transformation.As Peter began to preach, something amazing happened: "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message" (Acts 10:44). The Jewish believers were astonished because the Holy Spirit was poured out on Gentiles too. This reveals Jesus as the Generous Giver – His Spirit isn't limited by human categories or prejudices.
Notice that Cornelius and his household received the Spirit before baptism, before joining a synagogue, before learning Jewish customs. Jesus broke the religious process by showing that His love comes first, transformation follows, and religious rituals confirm what He's already done. He's more interested in hearts than procedures. Peter's final words are profound: "Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have" (Acts 10:47). Jesus had made them equals in grace. Not "almost as good as" or "second-class citizens" – but recipients of the same Spirit, the same salvation, the same standing.
This story reveals Jesus' heart for the outsider, the "other," the one we might not expect Him to choose. It challenges every barrier we erect – racial, economic, social, political. If Jesus' Spirit can fall on a Roman centurion, whose heart might He be preparing that we've written off? The early church learned that the gospel isn't just for people like them – it's for everyone. Jesus doesn't ask people to become Jewish to become Christian, American to become Christian, or middle-class to become Christian. He meets people where they are and loves them into His kingdom.
RESPOND
Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.
How has Jesus been a "Mind Changer" in your life, transforming prejudices or assumptions you once held?
Where do you see Jesus breaking down barriers in your community, and how might you join Him in that work?
REST
Take a moment to rest in God’s presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:
Lord Jesus, forgive us for the barriers we've built that You never intended. Open our eyes to see people as You see them – beloved children deserving grace. Give us the courage to step outside our comfort zones to love those who are different from us. Help us be bridge-builders in Your kingdom, not wall-builders. Amen.