The physician Luke wrote how, “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 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. Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spoke unto him again the second time, What God has cleansed, that call not you common. This was done three times: and the vessel was received up again into heaven”, and in chapter ten and verse seventeen of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Peter doubted in himself what this vision … should mean” where we read:
Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
The verse begins, “Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, ...” Luke began with the words, “now while Peter doubted in himself” which means “at that time during and when Peter, whose name means a little rock or stone and was one of Jesus' disciples, was entirely at a loss and in perplexity within his own self” “what this vision which he had seen” or “as to exactly how this spectacle or divinely granted ecstasy” “should mean” which means “would happen or exist”. Luke shared how “Peter” wondered and was perplexed by the “vision” given to Him by the Lord.
The verse continues, “... behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,” Luke added the words, “behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius” which means “lo, look and consider, the male human beings who were dispatched and assigned by Cornelius whose name means of a horn and was a Roman centurion of the Italian cohort stationed in Caesarea” “had made inquiry for Simon's house” or “asked and questioned where Simon's, whose name means a rock or stone, was located”, “and stood before the gate” which means “and were standing and positioned in front of the large entryway or porch of Simon's house”. Luke shared how the “two servants and soldier” dispatched by “Cornelius” were at that time “standing” in front of the “entryway” of “Simon's” house.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how during the same time that “Peter” was wondering what the “vision” actually meant, the men dispatched by “Cornelius” were standing in front of “Simon's” house. This timing was perfect, and God's plan was coming together. God worked both in “Peter” and “Cornelius”, and His timing to spread His message was being fulfilled intentionally through both of them. God loves people, and He is able to employ people in His work of spreading the “gospel” any time He desires. Anyone who yields themselves to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be “saved” from the penalty of death for their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Those who are wise will understand God is working on their behalf in ways they do not know nor understand, and His purpose is to give them an opportunity to have a relationship with Him for all eternity.
Next time Luke shares how the men, “asked whether Simon … were lodged there”, 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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