The Tanner

"Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon." - Acts 9:43

In the last verse of Acts chapter 9, we see Peter staying in Joppa with Simon the tanner. Luke simply mentions this verse in the book of Acts without explanation, but it marks a turning point in Peter's faith. In the next chapter, we see Peter preaching to the Gentiles, going to the house of Cornelius, and witnessing the Holy Spirit baptizing these men.

He said to them, “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean." - Acts 10:28

For the second time, Peter understood that what God calls clean is to be clean, and the first time was in Joppa, albeit indirectly, with Simon the tanner. The profession of a tanner was considered impure. In the process of making leather from animal hides, the tanner dealt with the foul odor of his work, handling carcasses, and his shop was located on the outskirts of town because of this bad smell. In the Talmud, the Jews wrote, "woe to him who is a tanner by trade," comparing good professions like perfume-making to the less desirable, yet necessary, occupation of tanning (Kiddushin 82b). When Peter stayed with Simon in Joppa, he distanced himself from the ritual of purity because he may have worked there and touched dead animals, which the Law forbids (Leviticus 11:24-31). This demonstrates a humble Peter and the development—and deconstruction—of his Jewish identity, as he diminishes himself to allow Christ to reign in him. When God shows Peter the vision of the sheet descending from Heaven in Acts chapter 10, Peter reflects on his negative situation in Joppa and the subsequent conversion of the first Gentile, Cornelius, and his household, while Peter was still proclaiming the death and resurrection of Christ:

"While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message." - Acts 10:44.

Sometimes, we don't understand the situations we face in life—why we encounter difficulties, feel excluded, rejected, or demoralized. We become sad and feel abandoned, forgetting that God is always present and sees us everywhere. Perhaps we should humble ourselves and look at the bigger picture, examining our lives for arrogance, pride, or independence that may distance us from the Holy God who loves us. What Peter learned during his time in Joppa built in him a sense of God's greatness—that God shows no favoritism (Acts 10:34), and neither should we.

His sermon to Cornelius was one of the simplest you can imagine: Peter simply told Cornelius the story of Jesus, His death and resurrection, as a reminder of what Cornelius should have already heard:

"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 10:36-38

We may feel intimidated when sharing the Gospel with someone we don't know, fearing they might ask questions we can’t answer or inquire about a passage we don't remember. But the Bible makes it clear that preaching Christ’s death and resurrection is enough, because we are not responsible for someone’s conversion—that’s the work of the Holy Spirit. Today, I pray to God for the opportunity to speak His words to whoever needs to hear or read them, whomever He chooses. Through me, He can speak words that will grow in someone's heart. I will be blessed in this process, for God chose us to share His blessings. How great is our God, and how blessed are we to have the Holy Spirit! Even as sinners, even when we are not perfect, He chose us to pour out His blessings. Praise be to God and God alone.

Soli Deo gloria.

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