The physician Luke wrote how “the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying, you went in to men uncircumcised, and did eat with them. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:...”, and in chapter eleven and verse six of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter told the Jewish believers he saw, “four-footed beasts … wild beasts … creeping things, and fowls” where we read:
Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
The verse begins, “Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw four-footed beasts of the earth, ...” Luke began with the words, “upon the which” which means “and on the sight of the large linen sheet” “which when I had fastened mine eyes” or “that at the time and moment I, Peter, fixed, gazed upon and looked earnestly on with my own physical eyes”, “I considered” which means “I, Peter, perceived and observed fully”, “and saw four-footed beasts” or “and beheld and observed animals with four feet” “of the earth” which means “belonging to the arable land, territory and land”. Luke shared how “Peter” told the Jewish “apostles and believers” about beholding the “four-footed” animals which were within the “linen sheet”.
The verse goes on to say, “... and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.” Luke continued with the words, “and wild beasts” which means “and savage, brutal and ferocious animals”, “and creeping things” or “and reptiles or snakes”, “and fowls of the air” which means “and winged animals or birds which fly in the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it”. Luke shared how “Peter” recalled the “savage animals, reptiles and birds of the sky” within the large “linen sheet”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we see how “Peter” continued to relay to the Jewish “apostles and believers” the “various animals, reptiles and birds” which were in the “linen sheet” lowered to him from “heaven”. Because this encounter is repeated, we can see how God desired to show all who read these words His passion for people to receive His “gospel of salvation” through His Son Jesus. God loves everybody, and He wants to have a personal relationship with them through Jesus. When they submit themselves to Him, they will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Let all who read and re-read this story know the Savior Jesus is purposed to let them know how much He wants to lead them to His “salvation”.
Next time Luke shares how Peter told the Jewish believers, “I heard a voice saying unto me, Peter; slay and eat”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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