Simon Peter is called into account by the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem to explain why he had made so bold as to eat unclean food in the presence of Gentiles. He explains that while he was in Joppa, a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, he had fallen into a trance and experienced a vision. Before going further, let us make a distinction at two points: 1. Simon the tanner. As the name suggests, Simon tanned hides, an occupation considered by Jews to be unclean, insofar as it involved handling dead things (Leviticus 11:39-40). 2. The vision. While on the rooftop of Simon’s house (11:5) Peter saw a great sheet being let down from heaven containing animals, beasts of prey, and wild birds. A voice instructed him to "rise, kill and eat," but refusing, he said, "No Lord, for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth." But the voice answered, "What God has cleansed you must not call common" (11:9). Notice that Peter did not refer to the food as "unclean," but common, meaning "beneath him." Notice also that Peter is mildy chastized for placing himself above anyone or anything. The supreme point of the vision is found in 10:34: "Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality." It follows then, that if God’s love is inclusive, "to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance unto life" (11:18). Yes, even the Gentiles, those who were outside the concern of the circumcision party in Jesusalem.

Closer to home, what about those who are outside the circle of our concern? Oh, we know about them well enough, but they are not a part of our daily experience, nor are they included in the regular routine of our decision-making. Occasionally, they may receive a polite tip of the hat, but they are included in the host of concerns outside our own family or church circle of concern which we are inclined to consider "unclean" or "common," reluctant to believe that even unto them also "God has granted repentance unto life." One at a time, think about the following: Shall God grant repentance to 1. those in our prisons, 2. Russians, 3. criminals, 4. non-Christians, or even non-Christian religions, 5. persons who exploit us in some manner, 6. ignorant people who could do better but won’t, 7. con-artists? Measure your response well, remembering that it was necessary for Peter to broaden the orbit of his concern.

A retiring old usher, instructing a youthful new replacement in the details of ushering said, "And remember, my boy, we have nothing but good, kind Christians in this church ... until you try to put someone else in their pew." Perhaps the arena for extending the circle of our concern is nearer than we may suppose.