Peter, Rise & Eat

This past weekend, my family and I were invited to an oyster roast. It was a fun day, the company was great, and the food… well, let’s just say it looked impressive. There were oysters steamed, roasted, raw, and drenched in everything from hot sauce to horseradish to something that looked like a science experiment. We gave them a fair shot. We tried. Really, we did. But the truth is—and I say this with all due respect to the mollusk-loving community—we are not oyster people.

As I stood there with what looked like something a seashell coughed up, I couldn’t help but think of Acts 10. You know the story: Peter has a vision of all kinds of animals once considered unclean, and he hears the voice of God say, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” Now, I don’t want to question divine authority, but I’m beginning to think Peter should’ve negotiated a bit. “Lord, I’m happy to eat the bacon, but could we maybe leave oysters off the list?”

Of course, the vision wasn’t really about oysters, pigs, or shellfish. It was about breaking down barriers—about God including people whom Peter (and others) had once considered “unclean” or unworthy. The real message is that the gospel isn’t just for one kind of person—it’s for everyone, even if they eat weird things. Or refuse to.

And honestly, that’s good news. Because if God can love oyster-eaters and oyster-avoiders, then there’s hope for all of us. Whether you’re raw-and-slimy brave or ketchup-on-meatloaf cautious, you’re welcome at God’s table.

So the next time you’re offered an oyster, go ahead and try one if you like—but remember, the real miracle isn’t what’s on the plate. It’s that God invites all of us to the feast, even if we’re secretly hoping there’s a drive-thru on the way home.

May God hold you,

Rev Chris Hester