The physician Luke wrote how Cornelius sent men to Joppa after receiving a vision from the Lord, and “On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew near unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour. And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, ...”, and in chapter ten and verse eleven of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter, “saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him” where we read:
And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him,
as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
The verse begins, “And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, ...” Luke began with the words, “and saw heaven opened” which means “and observed, noticed and beheld the region beyond the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings opened up”, “and a certain vessel” or “and a particular household utensil or domestic gear” “descending unto him” which means “coming down upon Peter”. Luke shared how “Peter” observed “heaven” opening and a particular “household utensil” came down upon him.
The verse continues, “as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:” Luke added the words, “as it had been a great sheet” which means “like a spacious and large linen sheet” “knit at the four corners” or “bound and fastened at each of the four corner places of the sheet”, “and let down to the earth” which means “and sent down to the arable land, territory and ground”. Luke shared how the “household utensil” had the appearance of a large sheet that was bound at each of it's “four corners”. This “sheet” was lowered in the direction of the ground and toward “Peter”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn about what “Peter” observed as he was in the “trance”. A “large sheet” came down from “heaven” toward the earth and “Peter”. God was using this “divine mental vision” to motivate “Peter”, and we shall see how He does so in our next verses, but for now let us be reminded that God works on “both sides”. “Cornelius' servants and soldier” were almost where “Peter” was living, and now it was time for “Peter” to be inspired. God was intentional in His purpose to spread His “good news” concerning salvation through His Son Jesus to the entire world. Anyone who yields to Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Those who are wise will realize this “trance” of Peter was God's way of altering his mind, and He is able to change the thoughts and ways of anyone who yields themselves to Him.
Next time Luke shares how Peter observed, “all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth”, 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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